Nazario’s husband comes out, denies ‘Pacquiao connection’

He may be disappointed and frustrated over his wife’s botched promotion, but he is keeping his cool.

Rod Nazario, husband of Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Minita Chico-Nazario and manager of world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, admitted that he was disappointed and frustrated over the recalled appointment of his wife to the Supreme Court.

However, Nazario also denied allegations that his wife got her appointment through the "Pacquiao connection." Critics of the Sandiganbayan presiding justice said she got her appointment to the Supreme Court through Pacquiao, a close friend of the President’s son, Pampanga Vice Gov. Juan Miguel Arroyo.

"Maybe she (Mrs. Arroyo) doesn’t even know that I am the manager of Manny Pacquiao," Nazario said with a laugh.

Even as the appointment of his wife got stalled, Nazario said he does not meddle in Pacquiao’s decisions on whom to endorse among the candidates vying for electoral posts in May. Pacquiao is endorsing the President’s bid for a full six-year term.

Nazario broke his silence on the matter yesterday at Malacañang, where he and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza accompanied Pacquiao to present to Mrs. Arroyo the Ring Magazine championship boxing belt that he won in his match last year against Juan Antonio Barrera in San Antonio, Texas.

"Of course, any lawyer’s dream is to be in the Supreme Court," Nazario said of his wife. "Honestly, of course she’s feeling bad."

He admitted feeling sad that his wife’s appointment to the SC was sidetracked allegedly due to influence exerted by a law firm closely identified with the President.

"You know, I cannot understand why a President of the Republic is, as I have read in the papers, being controlled by some lawyers’ office regarding the judiciary. That should not be (the case)," Nazario said.

"I read (about the controversy) only in The Philippine STAR," he said. "What I know is what I read in the papers."

However, Nazario said he and his wife "have not discussed" the matter. "That’s how it is. All I am doing is supporting her. I know she’s feeling bad, that’s why I took her on a trip to Baguio last week."

Responding to questions on whether or not his wife would still accept her SC appointment if the President pushes through with it, Nazario said, "As I told you, I do not meddle in these things. Whatever her decision is, I support her."

He also took strong exception to allegations that his wife earned the SC appointment through the "Pacquiao connection."

"That’s what came out, but it’s not true. I am not even a politician. I do not meddle with politicians," he said. "I don’t sell myself to anybody and I don’t sell Pacquiao to anybody. He (Pacquiao) decides whom he will endorse."

In fact, Nazario added that Pacquiao told him that another presidential candidate sought an endorsement from the pugilist. Pacquio refused to identify the candidate who sought his endorsement.

"I told (Pacquiao) that he is already leaving (for training) and not to meddle (in politics), that’s all. I’m not a politician. I don’t like politics because it is messy," Nazario said.

He said Pacquiao is scheduled to leave for training in the United States to prepare for his scheduled May 8 bout in Las Vegas to challenge World Boxing Association-International Boxing Federation (WBA-IBF) featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico.

Pacquiao’s boxing championship match takes place two days before the May 10 elections.

At the presentation of his Ring Magazine boxing belt, Pacquiao reaffirmed his support for the President’s candidacy by raising her hand as if she were a boxing champion.

"I really endorse (the President). I hope she will win so things will remain as they are, so we will not have to start managing the country all over again," Pacquiao said. "I hope (the President) wins so that development will go on unhindered in our country."

"Nobody told me to endorse (the President)," the boxing champion said. "For me, this is from my heart, my choice is whoever can help. What is important is that (the President) can help us."

Atienza told The STAR that he brought Pacquiao to the President so the champion pugilist could present the honor awarded by Ring Magazine — the "bible of boxing" — to her.

Meanwhile, the President said it is up to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) if it wants to re-submit Justice Nazario’s name on its new short-list of nominees to the vacancy in the Supreme Court.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said there is no reason to panic over the imminent end of the appointment period on Friday.

"I believe the Supreme Court has the quorum and can still function without this new appointment," Bunye said.

In his daily press briefing at the Palace, Bunye said the President made no specific announcement "recalling" Justice Nazario’s appointment to the SC, adding that "as far as we know, the situation is on hold."

"We have not received any new instructions from the President at this time" regarding the Nazario appointment to the Supreme Court. "So, I suppose that what the President has said before on this matter stays."

"We go by the President’s statement, when she said before that Justice Nazario will have to finish what she is supposed to finish at the Sandiganbayan," he said, referring to the President’s statement that Justice Nazario must tie up loose ends with regards to the plunder trial of ousted President Joseph Estrada before the Sandiganbayan.

"What the President has clearly said was that there is a clamor for Justice Nazario to complete the job. That’s it," he said, adding that "it is my understanding that the matter has been cleared with Justice Nazario (and) has been explained to her."

However, Malacañang apparently left the JBC and the SC in the dark as to the appointment of the 15th SC justice.

JBC member and Senate Majority Floor Leader Francis Pangilinan said the Palace never officially transmitted anything to the council, particularly Justice Nazario’s appointment.

Chief Justice and JBC chairman Hilario Davide Jr. said the same thing last week, adding that the JBC will just have to wait for a formal communication from Malacañang regarding the vacancy in the 15-man high bench.

The JBC members met yesterday and agreed to finalize possible action next week, as it is vital for the SC to have all 15 seats filled as provided for in the Constitution.

"We are discussing what the JBC will do, whether we should inquire and send a formal communication to the Office of the President (or) inform the Supreme Court, because the SC is also directly affected because it lacks one member," Pangilinan said. — With Aurea Calica