Sunday, August 19, 2007 Gabi ordered arrested for breach of contract By Ben O. Tesiorna
DIOSDADO "Prince" Gabi, the Filipino boxer who recently won a fight in California, USA, is facing possible arrest after a warrant was issued against him for violation of a managerial contract with North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol.
Judge Antonina Escovilla of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 2 issued the warrant of arrest against Gabi.
Piñol is asking for P4.8 million from the boxer whom, the politician said, duped him and reneged from their contract.
The vice governor claimed Gabi hired him as his manager in 2002. He also said he paid P150,000 to get Gabi as his ward from the boxer's former coach Roger Sumampong.
In 2002 until May 2005, Piñol said he spent a total of P4.8 million in managing and promoting the career of Gabi, a resident of Bunawan.
The complainant said in May 2005 he told Gabi that his next fight will be against Rosendo Alvarez of Nicaragua who was then the WBC number 5 Flyweight contender. If ever Gabi wins the said fight he will fight the current WBC Flyweight champion at that time.
After learning of his next fight, Gabi allegedly asked P150,000 from Piñol for his family.
Piñol said after getting the money, Gabi left and never returned back.
He said in June 2005 he met the father of Gabi who told him not to look for his son anymore since he is already retiring from boxing and will instead tend his farm at his residence.
Piñol added he conducted an investigation and learned that Gabi is not at all retiring from boxing but instead went to the US where he pursued his boxing career.
Meanwhile, the City Government of Davao denied that they will give Gabi an award during the Kadayawan celebration.
