PNP struggling to raise P200k for Pacquiao-Mayweather bout
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is struggling to come up with funds to finance the free live viewing of boxing champion Manny Pacquiao’s most expensive fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. for off-duty policemen and their dependents.
Director Danilo Constantino, newly promoted chief of the PNP directorial staff, said in an interview on Monday that they were negotiating with cable TV providers to help sponsor the PNP’s live viewing of the much-anticipated fight on May 3.
Traditionally, the PNP hosts free viewing of Sarangani representative’s boxing fights for its personnel and their families. The Filipino boxing icon will be facing undefeated pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Unlike in Pacquiao’s previous bouts that cost the PNP around P60,000, Constantino said they would have to pay P200,000 for the live telecast of the Pac-May fight.
“Marami kasing nag-aabang sa laban na ‘to. Kahit sino, bata, matanda, dito sa loob at labas ng Crame. We will try and negotiate with Cignal,” (Many are waiting for this bout. Everyone, young and old, inside and outside Crame) he said.
The PNP is planning to avail of the pay-per-view from Cignal Digital TV.
Article continues after this advertisementConstantino also hoped that Cignal, owned by telecommunications tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, would offer to shoulder PNP’s subscription and “charge it to their Corporate Social Responsibility (fund).”
Article continues after this advertisement“That would be a big help to the PNP members and their dependents,” he said.
But if the deal with Cignal would not push through, Constantino said they might proposed to PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina to use PNP funds to finance the free viewing.
Like in previous years, he said the PNP might use the multipurpose hall in Camp Crame for the show. The facility can seat from 500 to 1,000 persons.
Asked about his fearless forecast on the biggest fight of Pacquiao in his career, Constantino predicted the fight would last until Round 10—In favor of Pacquiao, of course.
