No betting but praying for Pacquiao’s victory, Catholic priest urges fans

Photo courtesy of @mannypacquiao on Twitter

MANILA — A Catholic priest said Filipinos who are rooting for Filipino boxing champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao can show their support to him by praying for him and not betting their money on him.

According to Fr. Edu Gariguez, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-National Secretariat for Social Action (CBCP-NASSA), the people instead of using their money to bet on the fight of Pacquaio against Floyd Mayweather, they can donate it to those who are in need.

“Support na lang dasal, manood ng television kasama kapwa mo Filipino pero huwag bet sa game kasi una masama ‘yung gambling at pangalawa e ‘yung pera na gamitin diyan e sayang lang kasi maraming tao ang nangangailangan,” he said.

The CBCP-NASSA official is hoping that the people will have social conscience in looking after other people especially the poor.

“Sana meron tayo ganitong social conscience…kasi kapag may kunsensya ka sa mahihirap lalo na ngayon Year of the Poor…alam mo na malaki itong pera na ito na pwede makatulong sa iba…” Gariguez said.

He added, “Kung sana ‘yung mga pera e magamit sa pagtulong sa mahihirap e di mas maganda. ‘Yung napakaliit na kaligayahan kung tutuusin malaking tulong na sa mga isang kahig, isang tuka na mga kababayan.”

Gariguez also urged the people to learn the stewardship concept that money is a blessing from God and use it wisely.

“’Yung stewardship concept na ang pera ay hindi para sa ‘yo kundi bigay ‘yan sayo ng Diyos, grasya sa ’yo yan ng Diyos para gamitin mo din sa mabuti at ayon sa jnyong kalooban at bahagi noon e ‘yung pagtulong sa iba,” he said.

On Sunday, the Pacquiao – Mayweather bout will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.