PNP seeks Pacquiao pay-per-view discounts

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police is negotiating for lower pay-per-view rates for the much awaited bout between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather on May 3.

This was because the rates being offered to the PNP is at a whopping P200,000, way higher than the previous P60,000 rate offered in previous fights.

“We are trying to negotiate with cable service providers for the rates. Of course, we will request to the PNP officer in charge if this may be charged to the PNP fund,” said Dir. Danilo Constantino, the newly appointed chief directorial staff.

In the boxing champ’s past fights, the PNP has regularly offered free live screening of Pacquiao’s matches to its policemen and their dependents.

Past free screenings were shown at the PNP Multipurpose Center in Camp Crame, which has a capacity of 500 but may possibly accommodate a very packed 1,000.

Constantino noted that even pay-per-view rates for home viewers have gone up, from the usual P1,000 rate to the P2,500 rate being offered for the May 3 bout.

The PNP is struggling to arrange the free screening, even negotiating with cable service providers if they can offer the live viewing to the PNP for free as part of their corporate social responsibility.

Constantino said they might seek the help from sponsors to help defray the costs of the pay-per-view rate being imposed on the PNP.

He is also hopeful that the Pacquiao fight will bring a zero crime rate on May 3 since practically every Filipino will be tuned in to their TVs and radios. SFM/AC