Davao City Council commends 'Prince' Gabi

Sun.Star: The Davao City Council commended Diosdado "Prince" Gabi for making the Philippines proud when he posted one of the five victories scored by the Filipino boxers in capturing the Boxing World Cup over their Mexican rivals last August 12 in Sacramento, California. The commendation was contained in a resolution authored by Davao City Councilor Diosdado A. Mahipus and which was passed under suspended rules during last Tuesday's regular session. "He is from Davao and we have to honor him," Mahipus said of Gabi, a fisherman's son from Barangay Lasang, Bunawan District. "He made the Filipinos proud by defeating his Mexican opponent Jose Angel Beranza in the just-concluded World Boxing Championships," read part of the resolution. The measure was co-authored by councilors Edgar Ibuyan and Susabel Reta, wife of the late former councilor Cornelio Reta, who was instrumental in nurturing Gabi into a fine amateur boxer before the pug ventured into the professional ranks. The council move was a morale-booster for Gabi, who is now in the state of anxiety as he is facing charges in court as a result of his promotional falling out with North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol. Gabi, whose wife Joy is six months pregnant on their second child, was facing arrest when he planed in to Davao City just days ago following his triumphant campaign in the United States. The boxer had standing warrant of arrest issued by Judge Antonina Escovilla of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 2. This stemmed from the case filed by Piñol against Gabi way back in 2005 for violation of managerial contract. In his complaint, Piñol is asking for P4.8 million from Gabi whom, the politician claimed, duped him and reneged from their contract. Piñol claimed Gabi left his training camp some years back without notifying him or asking for his permission. At around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, police officers from the Bunawan Police Station went to Gabi's home in Lasang to serve the warrant of arrest. According to Bunawan Deputy Station Commander Nestor Jimena, the ones who served the arrest warrant were SPO1 Lewelyn Damasco and PO3 Ferdinand Pino. But Gabi, in a radio interview with GMA-Davao Super Radyo, said he voluntarily surrendered to the police before posting a bail of P5,000 for his temporary freedom. The boxer was accompanied by several policemen from Bunawan in posting a bail at the Hall of Justice Tuesday afternoon and later apologized to Piñol through the media. Piñol had earlier demanded a public apology from Gabi for what he did to him and his family. Wednesday morning, Gabi reiterated his apology to Piñol in another radio interview. "Nagpangayo ko ug pasaylo kang Vice Governor Piñol (I'm asking an apology to Vice Governor Piñol)," Gabi said. The boxer said he has no quarrel or ill-feelings with Piñol and that it was the former vice governor's younger brother Soc Piñol whom he had misunderstanding. Gabi, in an earlier interview with the media, had blamed Soc for his decision to leave the Piñol camp. He did not elaborate except to say that this has something to do with some money, which was left unpaid to him out of his fight purse. Gabi also thanked Mahipus for authoring a council resolution congratulating and commending him. Mahipus explained he has to come up with the measure since Gabi's ring exploits were for the Dabawenyos and the Filipino people in general. The second district councilor said he is also willing to help Gabi in his legal problems and even invited the boxer to come to his office today. Gabi said he has no lawyer and indicated his willingness to ask for Mahipus's help. Mahipus said as a lawyer he has to help anybody who asks for legal remedies. "I can even defend him if he hires me," Mahipus told Sun.Star Davao.