Pacquiao back in full form

By a lopsided decision of the judges, World Boxing Organization (WBO) light welterweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao won a 120-102, 119-103, 119-103 unanimous decision over American Chris Algieri at the Venetian Macao’s 13,000-seat Cotai Arena in Macau.

The 35-year-old Pacquiao, who is a congressman and professional basketball player and coach, knocked down unbeaten New York native challenger Algieri six times during the 12-round contest. Against Algieri, Pacquiao registered his 57th win from 64 bouts.

The referee could have stopped the fight after Pacquiao scored two more knockdowns in the 9th round, one on a blistering straight left hand that sent Algieri hard to the canvas, but the referee allowed the fight to go on.

Pacquiao landed 229 of 669 punches (34 percent), according to CompuBox punch statistics, while Algieri connected only 108 of 469 blows (23 percent), few of which had any serious snap on them.

Knockout or not, Algieri, gave Pacquiao credit for the way he fought. “It’s not so much the punching power, to tell you the truth, it’s how he mixes the punches up. He has a very, very distinct and unique style that he has perfected. Manny Pacquiao is a hell of a fighter,” said Algieri.

Former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada led 25 congressmen in watching the fight, including Deputy Speaker Georgidi Aggabao; Congressmen Rodito Albano, Toby Tiangco, Franz Alvarez, Miro Quimbo, Joaquin Chipeco, Amado Bagatsing, Leopoldo Bataoil, Christopher Belmonte, Magtanggol Guniguindo, Carol Jane Lopez, Roberto Puno, Gus Tambunting, Pangalian Balindong, Dakila Cua, Rogelio Roque and Cesar Sarmiento.

Live coverage was provided for the peacekeepers at Caballo Island and camps in Basilan and Sulu.

The big puzzle now – will Pacquiao ever fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.?

Some scribes believe that Pacquiao’s winning over Algieri will put pressure on Mayweather. But Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum disagrees, he told,  “Mayweather is immune to public pressure. If he is going to fight Manny it will be when he detects some kind of deterioration in Pacquiao’s skills.”

Ombudsman probe Drilon’s pet project

The Office of the Ombudsman, Visayas branch, is investigating the alleged anomalies in the procurement process of yet another project funded by Senate President Franklin Drilon’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocation: the P13.5-million improvement of the Iloilo River Esplanade.

The Office of the Ombudsman, Visayas Branch, has directed Regional Director Edilberto Tayao and seven officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to answer the criminal administrative complaints lodged against them in connection with the anomalous procurement process of the 1.2-kilometer promenade.

The complaint includes the violation of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and the Government Procurement Act (GPA), which was filed by former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada, who also accused Drilon of involvement in the allegedly overpriced Iloilo Convention Center (ICC).

Justice delayed

It took 18 years and 8 months to decide on the 1991 Ozone Disco Club tragedy case that claimed the lives of 162 people, mostly teenagers, and injured over 100 more. The 2009 Maguindanao Massacre trial has passed the five-year mark that claimed 58 people, including 33 members of the media, who were supposed to cover the filing of the certificate of candidacy of Governor Ismael Mangudadatu.

The Los Angeles-Filipino American community and media groups launched a petition drive to demand a speedy resolution of the five-year-old Maguindanao massacre case at an event honoring the memory of the victims by the Filipino-American Community Los Angeles (FACLA) at Historic Filipino town.

Even the Supreme Court (SC) is slow to decide the motion for reconsideration on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), seeking to reverse the SC’s 13-0 ruling on the Executive’s controversial economic stimulus scheme.

Even the Sandiganbayan has not issued a resolution granting the petition for bail for Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada.

Neglected islanders

It has been more than a year since Typhoon Yolanda struck, but 178 families in Kinatarcan Island off northern Cebu are still living in tents donated by non-governmental organizations (NGOs): Shelter Box and Islamic Relief. The shelters have been set up in front of their houses.

At least 20 other families have moved to bunkhouses from their houses near a sinkhole that appeared on the island in July.

Barangay Chairman Rolando Villacarlos said the survivors have not been given permanent houses because they have no land titles since the island is a protected area. They could only show municipal tax declarations. 

The municipal government does not have enough funds to help the islanders. So far it has received only P5.58 million in Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The Philippine Navy should be assigned to help families in distant island barangays.

Crime wave

Three persons, including 2 businessmen were shot dead in 3 separate ambushes in Batangas.

The first fatality was restaurant owner Rance Berbard Cantos, 25, who was killed by two men on a motorcycle in Nasugbu. The reason for the killing is still unknown.

The second one is chicken dealer Edgardo Maralit, 40, who was shot dead in Lipa City. The investigators are eyeing business rivalry as among the motives for the murder.

Lastly, Eric Bathan, 32, ambulance driver of the municipal health office, was shot dead by motorcycle-riding men in Balete town. The police said they are looking at illegal drug dealing as a motive for the killing.