|
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Boxing champ seeks Davao mayor’s help in rift with ex-manager
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Dabawenyo boxing champion Diosdado "Prince" Gabi is reportedly seeking the help of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in finding solution to his problem with North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol.
Gabi's wife, Joy, said they already sought the help of many well known personalities to mediate in their problem with the former governor but to no avail. She said Duterte is their last hope.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
"Si Mayor Duterte na lang talaga maasahan naming makatulong kasi nga they are friends. We are in trouble talaga and feeling namin wala man lang makatulong despite sa mga ginawa ni Gabi," Joy said.
Duterte's aide, Lawrence Go, meanwhile told Sun.Star Davao Friday that the mayor is willing to help Gabi on his problem with Piñol. It was learned that Duterte already called up Gabi to discuss some matters.
Hands off
However, latest information reaching Sun.Star Davao showed Duterte decided not to meddle with the problem for now as Gabi and Piñol are set to meet anytime soon. Joy said they called up Piñol Thursday night and have requested for a meeting to which the vice governor acceded to.
It was not known though if the meeting between Gabi and Piñol has already materialized. Joy said Piñol explicitly told them not to invite the media during their meeting.
"Galit pa nga sya (Piñol) eh bakit daw kelangan pang idaan sa media ang aming problema," Joy said Friday morning.
From then on, the Gabi couple was already not responding to Sun.Star Davao's inquiry regarding their meeting with the former governor.
Gabi was arrested by police authorities last week by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by a local court in 2005 for the complaint filed by Piñol against the boxer for alleged violation of their managerial contract.
Piñol is asking for P4.8 million from the boxer whom, the politician said, duped him and reneged from their contract.
Elusive forgiveness?
In earlier interviews, Piñol said he is not after Gabi's money and demanded a public apology from the boxer.
Gabi already apologized to the politician several times in all of his media interviews but the much-sought forgiveness from Piñol never came.
Piñol claimed Gabi hired him as his manager in 2002. The vice governor said he paid P150,000 to get Gabi, a resident of Bunawan, 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.
The vice governor 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 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 anymore look for his son since he is already retiring from boxing and will instead tend his farm at his residence.
Piñol said 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. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (August 26, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Dismiss 3 cops in extort rap, says PNP boss