Tuesday, April 01, 2008 Quijano: The last round's last round By Jingo Quijano Last Round
IT’S quite a shame, really. I was beginning to dig this columnist gig. But we know that all good things must come to an end.
With the impending approval of House Bill 3742, sponsored by Nueva Ecija Representative Eduardo Joson banning boxing and other forms of violent sports, I see no compelling reason for this Last Rounder to stick around.
But you can write about other sports which interest you, my editors argued.
No dice, I countered. I can try, but I probably won’t enjoy it as much as I do writing about the “sweet science.”
A CINCH. Although the bill was filed only last March 11, it has reportedly mustered overwhelming support from Rep. Joson’s erudite colleagues, and is expected to be a legal juggernaut that will rampage its way through all the required readings.
Although nobody was willing to go on record to admit it, my sources claim that it had a lot to do with the record pay-per-view numbers generated by Manny Pacquiao’s last fight which reportedly grossed around P800 million.
Doing their math, they figured that if Manny fights at least twice a year, and with two more years to go before the next elections, they are looking at a very formidable war chest.
This early, they are of the opinion that Manny can and will win a seat in Congress if he tries again.
He’s very good at rematches, they argue.
So what better way to stop him than to slaughter the goose that lays the golden egg, now.
But why the vehement opposition to Manny joining their ranks?
He would be a shoo-in for the Speakership, they profess. Manny is so popular now that no Congressman would want to admit publicly that he is not supporting Manny should he decide to vie for it. That would be political suicide, they point out.
Also, his recent appointment as head of an anti-illegal logging body known as Task Force Luwas Kinaiyahan reportedly made some of them squirm uncomfortably.
Imagine how he would be like if he became Speaker of the House with his take-no-prisoners approach.
Horror of horrors, they might actually be required to attend sessions and listen to privilege speeches. That would be too much of a hassle, they cautioned.
CLOSING SHOP. The bill also contains a penal provision, carrying with it a penalty of imprisonment for six months to six years and a fine of P200 to P6,000. Also, if a boxer dies, the surviving pugilist shall be meted six years to 12 years in prison.
It also penalizes boxing promoters, event organizers, referees and judges if the boxing match results in a death.
Hence, this early, word has come in that the fabled ALA Gym will be closing shop. All its boxing equipment and memorabilia, signed by its popular wards such as Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, AJ Banal and Donnie Nietes are selling like hotcakes. For inquiries, please call 253-4643 to purchase yours. Free delivery.
So I’m getting out while I’m ahead. Thank you my last rounders for the support and encouragement that I have received in my short but eventful stint as a Sun.Star Cebu columnist.
Of course, if you still see this column on Saturday, you will of course have realized that today is April 1. Happy April Fool’s day guys.
Rest assured, the joke’s not on you.
HE SAID IT. “Banning boxing contests and/or exhibitions as a form of public entertainment can put an end to needless deaths, injuries and most of all, put a death to the culture of violence prevailing in our society,” -Rep. Eduardo Joson in his explanatory note ( Philippine Daily Inquirer report, 03/24/2008)
THE LAST ROUND. It’s on a dear friend, Nini Gonzalez who turns a year older this week. Cheers!
