Pacquiao: Negotiations for Mayweather fight almost done

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxer Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao has revealed only a few details need to be ironed out regarding his possible mega-fight against American fighter Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao recently confirmed that negotiations are ongoing with Mayweather's team. Mayweather also called on Pacquiao to sign a contract for a May 5 fight date.

"Ready na tayo. Kung natuloy 'yan, 'pag pumirma na s'ya sa kontrate, pirma na rin tayo," Pacquiao said. (We are ready. If it pushes through, once he signs the contract then I'll sign the contract.)

Pacquiao said there are only a few details left to be tackled in the negotiations.

"Maliit na bagay na pinag-uusapan, malapit ng matapos ang negotiation," he said. (Only the little things are being worked out and negotiations are almost done.)

He said he has no issue with the May 5 fight date, saying it is a good month for the fight.

Pacquiao also laughed off Mayweather's recent comments about him, wherein the American boxer said Pacquiao actually has 6 losses on his record instead of 3.

Mayweather said Pacquiao lost to Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez three times, bringing his total number of losses to six.

"Kung ganyan ang paniniwala n'ya, eh di respetuhin natin," Pacquiao said. (If that's what he thinks, we have to respect it).

The fighting congressman from Sarangani is planning to watch the friendly match between the Philippine Azkals and the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium along with his wife and kids.

"Magchi-cheer ako sa Azkals," Pacquiao said. -- From a report by Jay Dayupay, ABS-CBN News SOKSARGEN

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Lt. Col. Pacquiao ready for 'battle'

MANILA, Philippines - Boxing champion and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao is now officially a lieutenant colonel in the Reserve Force of the Philippine Army, after being donned the rank in a ceremony Monday morning in Fort Bonifacio.

Major General Emmanuel Bautista, Commanding General of the Philippine Army, and Brigadier General Alex Albano formally gave Pacquiao a shoulder board bearing his new rank.

In a prepared speech, Pacquiao said he plans to take his new responsibilities as a member of the reserve officer corps of the Philippine Army seriously.

"I want to take my role and responsibility to higher ground, to compensate for the discomfort I probably caused the Philippine Army family when some personalities questioned my commissionship as lieutenant colonel," Pacquiao said.

"Obviously, I am not trained for military operations, but it should be emphasized that reservists, by their true nature, are civilian provisional first and military personnel second," he added.

Pacquiao said, he never sought to be promoted to lieutenant colonel.

As a new lieutenant colonel, Pacquiao also became the executive officer of the Sarangani 1st Early Reserve Battalion.

His role in the reserve forces will be non-combat, however. Instead, Pacquiao will be in charge when there are relief operations or disaster management operations.

Pacquiao earned the lieutenant colonel rank in the Reserve Force last September 21, jumping five ranks from his previous rank of master sergeant.

His commissionship was questioned by several quarters, with defense and security expert Dr. Clarita Carlos saying that Pacquiao's honorary degree and status as a world boxing champion was not enough to earn him the rank as a commissioned officer in the Philippine Army.

Maj. Gen. Bautista defended Pacquiao's new rank, however, citing the provisions of Section 44 of Republic Act 7077, which provides that elected officials and presidential appointees may be commissioned into the Reserve Force.

Asked to comment on the criticisms, Pacquiao said, "Siguro yung mga nagku-question, hindi masyadong nakakaintindi. Intindihin na lang natin."

Pacquiao promised the Philippine Army that he will continue "to win my few more fights and bring honor to our country."

"Should you need legislative support, my congressman's office will be there to help you," he added.

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