Manny Pacquiao Offers Biblical Advice to Friends in Philippines After Public Brawl
Manny Pacquiao, 33-year-old high-profile Filipino boxer and congressman, took a moment from his training session in California to mediate a situation using the Bible between his friends in the Philippines.
Filipino actor Raymart Santiago and his wife, actress Claudine Barretto, were involved in an altercation with columnist and television host Ramon Tulfo at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last Sunday. When Tulfo attempted to take a picture of Santiago and his wife without their consent, the two men began fighting in the airport terminal.
Pacquiao knows both parties personally, according to the Phil Star newspaper, and was a sponsor during the baptismal dedication of Santiago's child in 2008. The Christian boxer had some words for both parties, even though he was out of the country training for his upcoming fight next month.
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"Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires," Pacquiao told GMA-7 at the Wild Card Gym following his workout on Thursday. "Love one another."
Pacquiao also quoted a Bible verse from the book of James for his friends, who have turned to the legal system, filing charges against one another in court.
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this, everyone should take time to listen. 'Human anger does not accomplish the righteousness of God,'" Pacquiao said.
Although Pacquiao has been vocal about his Christian beliefs since being asked to serve as a Bible ambassador in January, some have questioned if the congressman's faith was a gimmick he has been using in part for political reasons. However, Pacquiao's adviser Michael Koncz said the athlete has truly grown in his Christian faith.
"But that is absolutely not true. He's found inner peace and inner happiness with the Bible and he's serious about it," Koncz said, according to Manila Standard Today. "I should know because I drive around with him all the time and now he is my pastor. He and his wife Jinkee are very happy, the kids are involved in the Bible study which is a good thing too and a tremendous amount of good things that came out of it."
The eight-division world champion is currently training in Los Angeles, Calif., for his upcoming fight against Timothy Bradley on June 9 for the WBO welterweight championship.
