Clearing the air

Manny Pacquiao’s consultant Jake Joson and business agent Eric Pineda reacted strongly to certain issues raised by sources in a recent column about the three-time world boxing champion.

While they said the column had well-meaning intentions, there were items that had to be clarified, corrected and censured.

"Grossly exaggerated," said Joson. "The sources should come out in the open and testify that what they’ve told you is true because if not, they can just tell lies without being liable. What is painful is the sources are close to Manny which is probably why you think they’re reliable. They’re creating intrigue from within. They don’t know how much they’re hurting Manny."

Joson said his job is to put order in Manny’s busy schedule. A movie actor whose father is the NBI director in Region II, Joson is a man of means. He has several businesses, including a rice mill in Isabela, and working for Manny is his way of doing something positive for the country. Besides, he would never turn his back on a friend.

"Manny and I have been friends for years," said Joson. "When he asked me to help in sorting out his appointments, join him in meetings and advise him on certain things, of course, I couldn’t say no. I’m proud to be able to do something for our national hero. Sometimes, people who used to be close to him from way back think I’m driving his old friends away. That’s not true. There’s no cordon around Manny. He’s the boss. He tells me what has to be done and I just fix his schedule and make his appointments."

As Manny’s constant companion, Joson knows the ins and out of his daily activities. He knows if what "sources’ are saying are fact or fiction, exaggerated or not. He also knows what Manny is really like outside of the public eye.

When Manny was in Los Angeles training for the Hector Velazquez fight last summer, Joson stayed with the fighter in his Palazzo apartment in LaBrea. The only others privileged to stay with Manny were trainer Buboy Fernandez and fighter Gerry Balagbagan.

Joson said during the training period, he woke up before dawn to join Manny in his daily jog. Fernandez and Joson timed Manny’s run while Balagbagan tried to keep pace with him.

"If you only realize how much Manny sacrifices when he trains, you’ll know what kind of man he is," said Joson. "Halos nagpapakamatay siya kasi he knows he’s fighting not only for his family but for the entire country. Sabi nga ni Dong Puno, paglumalaban si Manny, ang buong mamamayang Pilipino ay kinalilimutan ang ating mga problema at united tayong lahat sa pagdadasal para sa kanya. One more thing, very religious si Manny. He prays a lot and trusts in the Lord to give him strength."

Joson said the report on Manny’s tax problems is twisted.

"It’s true the initial amount the BIR was assessing reached P11 Million but that’s without deducting legitimate expenses like the shares of Manny’s manager Shelly Finkel, trainer Freddie Roach and others," said Joson. "We met with Commissioner Bunag himself and we explained Manny’s situation. Manny paid P2 Million at first to show he’s not avoiding his responsibility to our country. We’re now determining what are the deductible expenses. Commissioner Bunag even asked Manny to be a BIR endorser as a taxpayer to show good example to our people."

Joson added that the report on supposedly close associates swindling Manny in the US is also grossly exaggerated.

"For instance, about the $10,000 check that bounced, it was not because someone used Manny’s money," said Joson. "Manny just forgot he issued a previous check so when it came in, he was short of cash to fund the $10,000 check. He still had $4,000 in the account. Nothing anomalous, only a simple error. So Manny just deposited more money in his account to make good the check. That’s all. And about some missing money, how can this friend from L.A. claim to know detective work when he’s just an X-Ray operator in the sheriff’s office?’’

Joson said sources are spreading lies about Manny because they probably feel left out and are envious of those working closely with him. Unknowingly, they’re destroying a reputation that Manny likes to keep low-key.

"Hindi lang alam ng marami kung anong ginagawa ni Manny para sa mga mahihirap," said Joson. "He always tells me no publicity when he gives to charity. Quiet lang siya like when he gave $2,000 to this foundation after the Velazquez fight. Yung kwento about Manny losing millions in cockfights and in billiard halls, exaggerated din ’yan. When he receives his purse, Manny gives it all to Jinkee (his wife) then she gives him an allowance for his hobbies like billiards and cockfighting. Manny is a cock breeder and he’s proud of it. Sure, he bets — but always within limits. He deserves naman some outlet for the sacrifices he does for the country. There’s nothing wrong with that."

Joson said when it’s time to buckle down to work, Manny is uncompromising. "Hindi niya pababayaan ang bansa natin," continued Joson. "He’s more determined than ever to beat (Erik) Morales. He’ll start training two weeks ahead of Morales."

Joson laughed off a report from a source that Morales started training two weeks after losing to Zahir Raheem last September. "Hindi totoo ’yan kasi kakakasal lang ni Morales at nag-honeymoon pa sa Europe," said Joson.

As for Pineda, he said his relationship with Manny is professional, above board and extremely transparent. Pineda is managing director of Millennium Media Professionals which represents Manny in negotiating product endorsements, commercial appearances and business transactions. Pineda and his wife Macy run the company.

"Manny gets the full 80 percent of his share, net of taxes, from all our negotiated contracts," said Pineda. "Should there be a broker involved, his share will be taken out of our own share and not Manny’s. It is correct that we are not entitled to any share from contracts negotiated by a third party. I’ve been a boxing fan since I was a boy so it’s not right to say our group has no knowledge of the sport."

Pineda said the report that Manny spends too much time filming commercials is exaggerated. "Since the Morales fight, Manny has only done four TV commercial shoots, three of which were negotiated by third parties," he went on. "If we count the number of days he spent doing those four commercials, it would come out to a maximum of 12 days."

Pineda said his role as business agent is clearly defined, that is, to solicit sponsorship deals or product endorsement contracts from potential companies. "We have no control whatsoever over Manny’s day-to-day activities or schedules," he noted. "We have closed three TV commercial deals for Manny. The first was after the Morales fight. The second was a renewal of a previous contract but for double the amount. The third will be shot after his coming fight with Morales. Being the last quarter, most companies have already spent their advertising budgets for the year. Most of our pending contracts for product endorsement will not materialize until after the rematch."

Pineda said Manny is his own man and makes his own decisions. "If there is something you want to discuss with him, he will listen to you but in the end, he makes the final decision," he said. "Most of the time, we work on the available time he has if his presence is required."

As for his training, Pineda said Roach’s timetable starts the first week of December.

"Freddie himself mentioned Manny needs to train seven weeks for Morales," said Pineda. "But voluntarily, he starts his training this weekend so he will have a two-week head start. This only goes to show you that Manny is very serious about the rematch and as he has told me many times, this is the most important fight of his career and the one fight he has to win, period. I could not agree with him more."

This should set the record straight on issues about Manny.