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The Catholic Church can blame the government for massive corruption in the country, but this in itself is a testament on how miserably it has failed to shepherd its flock, a senior lawmaker pointed out yesterday.

Isabela Rep. Rodolfo “Rodito” Albano III said perceptions of the Philippines being the most corrupt in Asia and second most corrupt in the world only show that priests failed in their mission to lead people in the right direction.

“We were the only Catholic country in Asia for 400 years. Please ask the bishops why we are the most corrupt nation. That should answer everything,” he said. About 85 percent of the 85 million Filipinos are Catholics.

As far as Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante is concerned, corruption is not just limited to the government bureaucracy and some parts of the business sector because even religious entities such

Manny Pacquiao’s stunning win over a fast-fading Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas last Saturday night was not what Ricky Hatton wanted to see.

Hatton, ringside at the MGM Grand, was hoping for a conclusive win for De La Hoya which would open the way for a projected superfight against the American at a British stadium next summer.

While that could conceivably still happen, it would more than ever carry the aura of a retirement party rather than any sort of contest in which rich legacies and pound for pound status were at stake.

Instead, Hatton may have to face up to the fact that his stadium dream is over. He may pursue Pacquiao, but he will have to get into a queue likely soon to be headed by – wait for it – a returning Floyd Mayweather.

In any case, such a showdown would almost certainly

Manny Pacquiao was in high spirits and obviously in a good mood when he faced a bevy mix of sports and entertainment writers for a brief press conference at the GMA Network Center.

The lack of sleep and jetlag after a 12-hour flight from Los Angeles to Manila could never be seen as Pacquiao answered questions from politics, his fight against Oscar De La Hoya, his possible next opponent and his plans for a movie comeback.

Asked whether he has political plans in 2010, Pacquiao said, in a mix of Filipino and English, he would not rather talk about the issue this early. “I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to enjoy my win and for making the country proud again.”

He added that the Philippines should emulate other countries that are focused in improving their economy. “I call on my countrymen to unite for the betterment of our country.”

ROUND 1
De La Hoya closed as a 2-1 favorite. De La Hoya is minus-200 and Pacquiao is plus-170. The over-under is 9½ rounds. Pacquiao comes out with a slight weight advantage tonight. On the unofficial HBO scales, he weighed 148½ and De La Hoya was 147. De La Hoya is the aggressor early, but nothing lands in the first minute. Straight left from Pacquiao and then a combination from Pacquiao connects. Lead left by Pacquiao. Right to the body by Oscar. Manny misses a big hook. Straight left by Pacquiao. Combination to the head by De La Hoya backs Pacquiao up. Right by Oscar connects. Straight left by Manny.
Iole scores it 10-9, Pacquiao

Ernesto Igama quit his job as a ship’s engineer after a pirate attack seven years ago. His love for the sea has brought him back, but now the global financial crisis could keep him stranded on land.”If you only know what I’ve gone through disasters, accidents, my leg was broken and there was a time our ship nearly sank,” said Igama, 64. “But I really enjoy my job. I feel like my strength is being sapped when I am on land.”

These days, though, he spends afternoons chatting with other idled Filipino sailors looking for jobs at shipping agency recruitment booths in a Manila park amidst a downturn in business.

The turbulence from the global financial meltdown is finally crashing down on the shipping industry, which appears to be increasingly headed for the docks because fewer companies are ordering goods to transport. read full story

Manny Pacquiao returned to a champions welcome today from his latest victory in Las Vegas, and shared a cake in the shape of a boxing glove with the president.Pacquiao beat his bigger and more famous opponent Oscar De La Hoya over the weekend, giving his countrymen an early Christmas gift at a time when many in the Philippines are struggling to make ends meet amid financial worries.

“My victory is a victory for all of us,” the 29-year-old Pacquiao said in a television talk show, shortly after meeting President  Arroyo in her official residence. read full story