Thursday, March 06, 2008 Bing to attend Pacman-Marquez fight
BACOLOD Mayor Evelio Leonardia announced Wednesday that he is going to US next week to see the title fight of Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao and WBC Marquez, dubbed the "unfinished fight."
Leonardia said he got a call from Pacquaio himself asking for a prayer for what the boxing idol himself described to be "an exciting fight".
He also invited the mayor to come to US to see the fight and to carry Pacquiao's belt during the on-stage presentation of the protagonists. This is going to be the third time that the mayor will carry the boxing idol's belt in a fight match.
"I am quite honored to represent Bacolodnons and Negrosanons to be with Pacquaio and carry his belt," Leonardia said.
As in the past, the mayor has already directed his staff to put up television sets with wide screens in some public places so the people can watch the fight on time and for free.
On the other hand, Leonardia reiterated that, as in his past trips, his forthcoming trip to US for the Pacquiao-Marquez fight will not be shouldered by the City Government. "I am making this clarification to dismiss persistent reports that my travel expenses come from the government coffers, which I never did," he said.
Leonardia's reiteration was a reaction to persistent loose talks and insinuations from some quarters who repeatedly alleged that the mayor had been charging to the city's coffers all his travel expenses and allowances to the US for Pacquiao's fights.
Some people privy to the issue told Sun.Star Bacolod that if the city is not shouldering mayor's travel expenses, then who? They added that if Pacquiao or some private people shoulder his expenses then it is a violation of the Code of Ethical Standards for government employees and officials that provide they are not supposed to accept gifts or donations from private persons or institution.
If the mayor shoulders his travels, then he should make public statement of his assets and liabilities, the also said.
The insinuation and allegations have also taken some credence in the light of COA reports that in 2005, the city government had incurred a whooping P262 million in travel expenses, and the same trends in 2006, with notable increase in its payments for fuel, lubricants and vehicles repair and maintenance.
Meanwhile, Leonardia said he will also take the opportunity to accept the invitation of the mayor of Long Beach, California for some exchanges of opportunities for increase tourism and investment in Bacolod.
He said, he will also offer invitation to the Long Beach, and other U.S. cities with big Filipino population, to come to the 70th anniversary of the city during the Masskara Festival on October this year.
