‘PacMan’ says he may run for congressman

NEWLY crowned World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao arrived in Manila on Friday morning with his entourage led by wife Jinkee.

During interviews with the media later, the Filipino boxing icon made it clear that he would be running for Congress in next year’s elections.

Pacquiao defeated Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas last week, giving the pound-for-pound king his unprecedented seventh world title in as many weight divisions.

At 5:40 a.m., he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on board Philippine Airlines Flight 103 that came from the Tom Bradley International Terminal in Los Angeles. The flight had a stopover at the Guam Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport.

Later in the morning, President Gloria Arroyo honored Pacquiao by conferring him the prestigious Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Datu (Katangiang Ginto) for his latest ring exploit.

The Filipino boxing icon was welcomed at the airport by his children, Jimuel, Michael and Princess, Chairman Harry Angping of the Philippine Sports Commission and Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Joselito Atienza.

Queenie, the youngest of Pacquiao’s children, was left in General Santos City, PacMan’s hometown in Southern Mindanao, Jinkee said.

At the airport, the Filipino superstar was asked if he plans to retire.
“There are still no plans yet. But I will take a vacation with my family to relax and recuperate. I’m still thinking of it,” he said in Filipino.

On the possibility of a fight with undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., Pacquiao commented, “That would depend on the negotiations. There’s no problem with that because I am willing to fight Mayweather.”

Jinkee and controversies

At the airport, Jinkee clarified that she was only touched by the priest’s meaningful homily when she was caught by TV cameras crying during the victory Mass for her husband in Las Vegas.

“I also miss our children,” she said in Filipino.

The TV footage sparked speculations that the Pacquiao couple’s marriage was on the rocks amid rumors that the Filipino boxer is having an affair with sexy starlet Krista Ranillo.

Dionisia Pacquiao, the champion’s mother, said that she has spoken with her son and Jinkee and advised them not to believe in hearsays.

“I don’t believe in those intrigues. Manny is also God-fearing and people are out to destroy my son because he is now famous,” she said in Filipino. “When Jinkee was crying at the Mass, others like me also cried.”

Visit to DENR

From the airport, Pacquiao went to the Quiapo Church in Manila with Atienza for a thanksgiving Mass.
He later went to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office on Visayas Avenue in Quezon City, a traditional stopover for him, at 9:30 a.m. where he was given a rousing welcome complete with confetti and band music.

During an interview, Pacquiao said that he will again donate P100,000 for the conservation of the critically endangered Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) also known as the Great Philippine Eagle or Monkey-eating Eagle.

“Anytime now, the two Philippine Eagles in captivity will be released,” according to him. The eagles are caged at the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center in Quezon City.

Since Atienza was appointed Environment secretary in 2007, Pacquiao has donated a total of P400,000 for the conservation of the rare eagles and P100,000 each for conservation of tarsiers and coral reefs.

To run for Congress

When the media asked Pacquiao if he will run for Congress next year’s elections, he answered, “Yes, definitely.”

He said that he will run for Congress in Sarangani province, also in Mindanao, and he still has enough time until December 1 to file his certificate of candidacy.

But Atienza butted in and said, “There might be a change in direction,” and that Pacquiao may run as a party-list representative.

Atienza explained that they are considering a party-list representative position for Pacquiao particularly with a group advocating sports development.

The Environment secretary said that Pacquiao is the best man to represent athletes in Congress since he is the best boxer in the world today.

“Who else could improve the skills of the athletes? Only Manny,” Atienza added.

Pacquiao’s convoy left the DENR office in Quezon about 10:30 a.m. and toured major streets of Quezon City, Manila, Pasay City and Makati City. By the time, the Filipino boxing icon looked tired but still managed to smile and wave at this thousands of supporters who lined the streets to get a glimpse of him.

President cites icon

President Arroyo honored the Filipino boxing icon by conferring him the prestigious Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Datu (Katangiang Ginto) at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila’s Rizal Park (Luneta).

It was the highest accolade ever conferred on Pacquiao. Previously, President Arroyo named him special envoy for peace and unity in Mindanao after his crushing victory over England’s Ricky Hatton in May that gave him the International Boxing Organization light welterweight crown.

Pacquiao thanked the President and the people for all the support they have given him.

The award, according to Mrs. Arroyo, is provided by law, and is actually being given by a grateful nation. The last time she conferred the same honor was when visiting US State Secretary Hilary Clinton came over last week prior to the Singapore Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

After receiving the award, Pacquiao raised the two championship belts he won from his fight with Cotto and profusely thanked the people for the accolade.

Ira Karen Apanay, Johanna M. Sampan And Angelo S. Samonte