Thursday, March 22, 2007 Acharon's jab: No hero's welcome for Pacquiao
MANNY Pacquiao took a blow from no less than General Santos City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. when the local chief executive declared he will no longer prepare a hero's welcome for the Filipino boxing sensation should he wins his fight with Mexican Jorge Solis next month.
"That's my decision because he has already entered politics," Acharon reportedly said during the turnover ceremonies of the Special Education (Sped) school building in Barangay San Isidro Tuesday.
The 28-year-old Pacquiao had announced his intention to run for the first district congressional seat of South Cotabato where he will be pitted against Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio, a partymate of Acharon.
Pacquiao, a godson of Acharon, is currently undergoing training in the US for his upcoming fight with the undefeated Solis on April 14 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
The City Government of General Santos had been giving Pacquiao and his younger brother Bobby a hero's welcome following their exploits abroad.
Acharon had made it sure that a special float be provided tour the Pacquiaos from the airport and around the city so that GenSan folks will have a glimpse of their conquering heroes.
Aside from this, the City Government usually hosts a special program for the boxing heroes at the Oval Plaza covered court followed by a sumptuous dinner at the Family Country Homes.
All of these will not happen anymore.
The City Government will not also sponsor a free live viewing to the public of Pacquiao's fight on April 14. In his previous fight against Erik Morales last November 19 in Las Vegas, the City Government had sponsored a free live viewing via a cable network at the Lagao gym to the public.
However, die-hard fans and supporters of Pacquiao, however, will prepare their own hero's for their Filipino punching machine his fight on April 14, with or without the support of the city officials.
Among them are the more than 100 "habal-habal" motorcycle riders, who are now also members of the Peoples' Champ Movement (PCM).
Meanwhile, Solis, an undefeated fighter, is reportedly out to shock the world with a victory over Pacquiao come fight night.
