Pacquiao hospitalized for acid reflux

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao, the super athlete, is back in the hospital due to his old nemesis, acid reflux. His legal adviser, Franklin Gacal, yesterday said the fighting congressman from Sarangani was taken to the Cardinal Santos Hospital in San Juan the other night. “It’s the same ailment,” said Gacal, who assured everyone that Pacquiao is well. Pacquiao’s close friend, Jayke Joson, said the reigning world champion will stay in the hospital for another night, and is expected to be discharged this morning. Joson said Pacquiao must have skipped meals lately, causing the acid reflux to recur. But he also assured everyone that there’s nothing to worry about. “Dating sakit. But he’s doing fine now,” he texted The STAR. Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Juan Manuel Marquez on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas, and the press tour for the fight will take place on the first week of September. It will kick off with a rally at the Quirino Grandstand on Sept. 3, and will take both fighters, and their respective entourage to New York, Los Angeles, perhaps Las Vegas, and Mexico City. Then training begins for Pacquiao in Baguio. The 32-year-old Pacquiao is not new to acid reflux, a chronic digestive disease that occurs when stomach acid or, occasionally, bile flows back (refluxes) into the food pipe or esophagus. Pacquiao’s bout with acid reflux started in 2006. Last year, right after the May elections, he was taken to the same hospital after complaining of stomach pains.