LATEST UPDATE: PACQUIAO MAY TAKE TONIGHT'S FLIGHT TO L.A.

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 22 Sep 2008

There’s apparently no need for supporters of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao to panic about his sudden return to the Philippines Sunday night, according to his lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal.

Gacal told www.insidesports.ph, Manila Standard and Viva Sports on Monday morning that Pacquiao and he would fly back to Los Angeles on Tuesday for sure, although he said that there was a slim possibility that they may even leave aboard the Philippine Airlines flight on Monday night. The trouble is that Gacal flew to his hometown of General Santos City following their arrival from the US and while he told Pacquiao he could return to Manila right away if Manny wanted to return right away he was told they could leave on Tuesday.

The lawyer said Pacquiao returned to Manila because of concern over his substantial deposits in a big Manila bank which Gacal said “is a legitimate concern” because of the collapse of major financial institutions in the US which has affected the world economy and created a financial crisis although banks in the Philippines were reportedly not affected and were well protected.

Gacal said it would have been difficult for Pacquiao to “continue to focus and concentrate on his training” if he was concerned about his hard-earned money.

Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach told www.insidesports.ph he had “heard about” Pacquiao’s departure but hadn’t been directly informed. He said Pacquiao “needs to get focused” on his training right away.