BOPK versus team Rama battle of pay-per-view

CEBU, Philippines - Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao may have lost in the judges' score cards against Timothy Bradley but in the eyes of his ordinary fans and colleagues in Congress, he remains to be the champion.

But for local politicians, win or loss does not matter; after all it was an excellent venue for them to gather people and campaign.

In what was regarded as first time to happen in Cebu City, local politicians yesterday have a battle of sponsored pay-per-views so the public can watch for free the live telecast of the Pacquiao vs Bradley fight.

The Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan sponsored pay-per-views in 17 barangays including Apas, Buhisan, Camputhaw, Cogon-Pardo, Capitol Site, Guadalupe, Hipodromo, Labangon, Mabolo, Pasil, Poblacion Pardo, Pahina San Nicolas, Sambag II, Talamban, T. Padilla, Tisa and Tejero.

The BOPK announcement says that South District Representative Tomas Osmeña and Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young were behind it.

Mayor Michael Rama of Team Rama said their supporters also organized pay-per-views in various areas.

But Philip Zafra, Chief of Staff of the mayor, said that most of those credited to them are sponsored by the Office of the Mayor.

Zafra said that they just approved all requests they received for public service, not for political campaign. 

"We're not like the other group who really took advantage of the situation. While they (BOPK) are busy with their strategies for the election, the Office of the mayor is busy serving the people," Zafra said.

The Rama clan set up two big screens inside the Rama compound for free public viewing of the match. Basak-San Nicolas Captain George Rama said that they provided snacks to the viewers like what they have been doing every year or every time the boxing icon is up for a championship fight.

The office of the mayor also sponsored pay-per views in Punta Princesa and barangay Luz, among others.

Mayor Rama said that the result of the fight was not what he expected.

"Unlike his match with Marquez, I do not see any convincing justification for his (Pacquiao) loss," Rama said.

Osmeña, who was breathing the same air as Pacquiao in the Las Vegas arena, said that no one could believe that Pacquiao lost the fight.

"No one believes Manny lost. Bradley made many punches but they were not connecting," Osmeña said.

Former Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem, a boxing fan, said that Pacquiao's age, having 60 fights already, has already taken its toll.

While many could not believe that the Filipino champion lost, 41-year old Andy Tabanas, a former boxing champion who has rubbed elbows with Pacquiao during his years in the boxing industry, said that he has foreseen the result.

He said that when Pacquiao did not dominate in the 10th to the 12th round, he knew he was in danger of losing.

While some believe that it is now time for Pacquiao to retire, Rama believes otherwise.

"It's really up to him but if I will be asked, he should not retire yet," Rama said.

Jakosalem said that Pacquiao scored overwhelmingly high in the compubox system, but unexpectedly lost. "A rematch is a must! He should not retire!" Jakosalem said.

Pacquiao's colleagues in the House of Representatives believe he won the fight.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles said, "Our respect and admiration for our Pambansang Kamao Congressman Manny Pacquiao will not be diminished by his defeat with Timothy Bradley albeit in a very controversial fashion."

"He is, and will always be the winner in our hearts. He fought valiantly and I have no doubt in my mind that he was the winner in every round of his fight against Bradley. But like any battle, there's a loser and there's a winner and somehow we just have to respect the split decision vote in favor of Bradley. I just hope though that there would be a rematch the soonest possible opportunity," he added.

Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento, on the other hand, said, "I fully agree with the sentiment of Filipinos around the world that the split decision defeat of our hero Congressman Manny Pacquiao is absolutely questionable."

"The biggest punches came from Manny and I've not seen Bradley landing any decent shots. However, it's water under the bridge and we just have to show the whole world that we are magnanimous even in defeat. Even with his defeat, I'm truly proud of Manny Pacquiao that once again, he had shown to the whole world the true character of a Filipino: fierce in battle but always God-loving," he said.

Even ordinary boxing fans believe Pacquiao won the match.

Joe Adecer, 58, from Guadalupe, who is an avid boxing fan, was greatly dismayed with the decision.

 "Limbong gyud to ang decision (The decision was rigged)," he said.

PUJ driver Alberto Panlaan, 27, from Bulubugan, Pinamungajan, Cebu, parked his rented jeepney in Brgy. Tinago near Pier 3 just to watch the fight.

Although he was dismayed by the result but he said he did not regret watching it.

"Mafia gyud to. Gituyo siguro to og papildi ni Pacquiao para mosukol na si Mayweather niya (It was a mafia decision. Maybe it was intentionally done for Pacquiao to get Mayweather to fight him)," he said. — (FREEMAN)