LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu -- Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao is temporarily trading his boxing gloves for a basketball.

Pacquiao, according to Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, organizes a basketball tournament between the military and different armed groups like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the next three to four months.

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Remonde said the basketball tournament and similar sports activities are part of Pacquiao’s new job as ambassador for unity and peace.

He said this means that Pacquiao would be indirectly involve in the peace efforts between the government and the MILF or with leftist and rightist groups, but not in the formal negotiations aspect.

“There will be events and activities and the like that will be organized that will center on him (Pacquiao) as a focal person. Among the things that were discussed for example is a basketball tournament involving the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), MILF and the rightist groups, and leftist groups etc., and other sports activities that will be presided by Pacquiao,” he said.

He said the plans to tap Pacquiao to organize the sporting events, among others are only a few activities that were initially discussed by the senior officials of Malacañang before he made his courtesy call last Monday for the National Day of Celebration following his victory against British boxer Ricky Hatton.

“In short, Pacquiao will be more of a symbol I mean, (we don’t) expect him to conduct negotiations, but he will be useful as symbol or as a rally point for events and processes that would involve national unity,” he added.

Remonde said a basketball match is only among the activities suggested which would have to be done in the next three to four months, or before Pacquiao starts training again for his next possible boxing match.

Asked if the ambassadorial post of Pacquiao is an alternative to his political plans, Remonde said he has heard of reports that the Filipino boxer may have had a “change of heart” about politics, but regardless of his political plans the Arroyo government is thankful that he has agreed to be the “symbol of unity.”

He added that Pacquiao should also be respected if he ever decides to proceed with his political plans.

Arroyo named Pacquiao as the “messenger of peace and understanding” or ambassador of peace and unity during his courtesy call in Malacañang Monday.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, after the meeting in Malacañang, also announced that Pacquiao would be his special assistant on intelligence matters, an honorary position where his tasks include coordinating with the “National Bureau of Investigation in the enforcement of his mandate. He may perform such other functions as may be assigned to him by the Secretary.”

Gonzalez said Pacquiao, who would not receive a single centavo for the job, would be very useful in information gathering because of his links in the Visayas and Mindanao. Pacquiao is from General Santos City. (JMR/Sunnex)