MALACAÑANG would respect the decision of boxing champion Manny Pacquiao to join the Nacionalista Party (NP) in pursuing his bid for Saranggani congressional seat if he decides to proceed with it.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, in an interview by Radyo ng Bayan, said as far as he knows nothing final has been reached about Pacquiao's supposed plans to join Senator Manuel Villar's party.

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Remonde said the administration, which has been openly supporting Pacquiao especially in his fights and even giving him several awards and titles in government, would not take it against him if he opts to join other parties than the administration's Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

"That is something that is between Manny Villar and Manny Pacquiao. Hindi kami makikialam diyan at hindi po namin mamasamain kung sakaling mangyari iyan," he said.

Pacquiao, who received last Friday the award of Order of Sikatuna rank of Datu from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for winning his seventh world title, was previously named special envoy on peace and unity.

He was also tapped as the special Philippine flag carrier during the last Olympics.

Pacquiao is known to be close to Environment Secretary Lito Atienza Jr. and Deputy National Security Adviser Luis "Chavit" Singson who are both with the Arroyo government.

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio said Lakas-Kampi will not compete with the NP in getting Pacquiao's alliance, or are they planning to make a counter offer to sway the boxing champion to join them.

"Manny is a world sports icon and our own living legend and crown jewel. He will not do justice to himself or the Filipino people to be affiliated with a particular political party because he will alienate himself politically from others who do not belong to that party," he said.

Claudio added that it would be better and wiser if Pacquiao remains "above partisan."

"If he must run for a congressional seat in the coming polls, it might be better for Manny to run under the party-list system where he can represent a broader national constituency. The NP might also do well to be more circumspect about its recruitment policies and think of what it might deprive the rest of the Filipino people," he said. (JMR/Sunnex)