No power interruption in Cebu for Pacquiao fight; Prelate hits out at 50 solons set to watch it live

The Visayan Electric Company (VECO) assured Metro Cebu residents and sports fans that there will be no power interruption on Sunday during Manny Pacquiao’s 12-round title fight against Mexican Antonio Margarito. Pacquiao and Margarito will dispute the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) light middleweight title at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. VECO communications manager Ethel Natera, in an interview on dzXL radio, said that there are no scheduled power interruptions on Sunday since the power demand is low on that day. Even VECO employees who are now engaged in a labor dispute with the electric firm's management promised they will not stage a strike on Sunday. Filipinos are expected to watch Pacquiao’s latest bout on Sunday. Police have noted a sudden drop in crime every time the Filipino boxing icon fights. Bishop chides lawmakers watching Pacquiao bout In related news on dzBB radio, Marbel (South Cotabato) Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez chided the 50 members of the House of Representatives who will be flying to the United States to watch Pacquiao’s bout in Texas. Gutierrez hit out at the alleged extravagance of the 50 lawmakers, saying that the money that they are spending for the trip could be used to help victims of recent disasters. The prelate said residents in Northern and Central Luzon have yet to recover from the devastation caused by super-typhoon “Juan" (Megi). He added that residents in Northern and Central Luzon are still reeling from flash floods and landslides caused by continuous rains last week, yet the lawmakers would rather spend money to watch Pacquiao fight Margarito live. Bishop Gutierrez stressed that it will not be good for lawmakers to be enjoying themselves while their constituents suffer in the wake of tragedies. – JVP/KY, GMANews.TV