LAS VEGAS, United States – On stage for the final press conference of the fight of the century were the select few: the fighters, their trainers, the fight’s promoters and the heads of HBO and Showtime.

But there was one man who was not any of those people: a Filipino politician named Chavit Singson.

Singson, former governor of Ilocos Sur in the Philippines, has been a mainstay of Manny Pacquiao’s camp, always appearing alongside him in his international fights. On Wednesday, April 29, Singson sat next to no less than Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach, alongside top executives in the Ka Theatre at the MGM Grand here, filled with media from all over the world.

And while Floyd Mayweather Jr’s own father and trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr did not speak on the podium, Singson took the chance to share a few words.

When Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum took the stage, he originally only acknowledged two “principal members” of the Pacquiao team – Roach and Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s adviser. But as he looked down the table, he noticed Singson.

“So first, I’d like to…oh! And look who’s sitting there. The man who has become one of my dearest friends. Remember when I didn’t know his name? I know it now. You want to say something?” Arum said, upon seeing Singson.

He then went on to introduce Singson to the crowd.

“He’s a governor, a former governor in the Philippines, he’s Manny’s great friend and supporter, he’s a great, great guy I’ll attest to it because I visited the Philippines now many times, he’s become a very good friend of mine – please welcome Governor Chavit Singson,” he said.

Singson, in a gray jacket and wearing his sunglasses, did not hesitate and took the podium.

“Distinguished friends, guests, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you Bob for this opportunity to thank each and every one of you, especially the media, MGM, Mayweather promotions, Bob Arum, Showtime and HBO, and everybody. Without all of you we’d not be here today. Thank you very much,” he said.

His short statement was greeted with polite applause and some confused looks exchanged by international media.

Singson has been a longtime adviser of Pacquiao, and is never absent in his fights.

Singson also faced 3 counts of graft filed against him over the alleged diversion of P26 million ($593,811) in tobacco excise tax from his province to a private company. The preliminary investigation was delayed by 10 years, which became grounds for dismissal of the cases. Late last year, however, government lawyers asked the court to reinstate his 3 cases. – Rappler.com