Disappointing for Manny

Last Sunday’s Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez boxing match was very disappointing as far as Pacquiao was concerned. Many including my brother-in-law Rico thought that Marquez won because Marquez landed more solid blows compared to Pacquiao, though Pacquiao was the more aggressive fighter between the two. But I know that in the end when a fight is too close to call, the champion always has the edge.

In the case of the Pacquiao-Marquez fight I thought it was necessary for Marquez to win by a technical knockout or a lopsided, not a close fight. I think what went in favor of Pacquiao in the minds of the judges was that he was aggressive fighter and brought the fight to Marquez who was just contented waiting and counter punching. One thing I learned from boxing is that a challenger should win a fight convincingly because if not, the champion would retain the crown.

Many boxing aficionados may be right in saying that Marquez won but was not very convincing in the eyes of the judges. Pacquiao’s popularity and the betting odds may have swayed the decision of the judges. Two of them gave a winning score to Pacquiao and the third judge called the fight a draw.

Now what is in store for Pacquiao? I think a fourth fight with Marquez will be most logical because the third fight did not settle who won their first two fights and Marquez may claim again that he was robbed of a victory a third time. The fourth fight will bring in more money for boxer promoter Bob Arum, Pacquiao and Marquez and I guess Mayweather will have to wait. In fairness, Marquez deserves a rematch with Pacquiao.

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Last Sunday, I had an early-morning interview with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama. I asked him about his reaction to the action or non-action of the City Council on his proposed budget. Surprisingly, Rama said he was happy and satisfied with the performance of the City Council, saying that for the first time, it found its freedom in deliberating the budget.

Rama further said he does not begrudge the councilors what they are doing because it is their duty to scrutinize a budget presented by the executive to see if it serves the interests of Cebu City residents. Rama said for as long as the city council is doing what it ought to do, then he as the mayor will do what he ought to do and everything will be okay.

I am impressed by the optimism of Rama when it comes to the action taken by the council because it is in stark contrast to the decision of Congressman Tommy Osmeña who is hell bent on defeating Rama in the 2013 election.

When asked about Osmeña’s anger with him, Rama answered that it is not his concern because what is foremost in his mind is performance. The mayor shared with me the items in the program that he submitted to the council, which was featured in Cebu Daily News columnist Lloyd Suarez’s piece yesterday.

When asked what was basis of his budget proposal, Rama pointed to his own observations and the complaints and observations of the people. He assured that there was no politics involved in the crafting of the budget and it was an honest to goodness list made to make Cebu City livable.

Rama further said that after the council has spoken, he will respect whatever action they take on his budget because after all the council and the mayor will ultimately be accountable to the people of the City of Cebu.