MANILA -- Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Senator Manny Villar is set to give party-mate “People’s Champ” Manny Pacquiao a hero’s welcome once he gets back to the Philippines.
In a statement circulated to media, Villar said details of the blow-out party have yet to be ironed out.
“Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin, subalit bibigyan namin sya ng isang malaking pagsalubong. Hindi namin alam kung sasabay na kami sa marami o bibigyan namin s'ya ng separate,” he said.
Earlier today, Malacanang said in a press briefing that it will hold a similar hero’s welcome for Pacquiao despite the hectic schedule of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The senator said Pacquiao phoned him to commit his presence in the NP campaign trail after successfully retaining his World Boxing Organization (WBO) weltwerweight title against Ghanaian challenger Joshua Clottey.
“Tinawagan nya ako kasi pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng kanyang laban at sinasabi nya na sa lalong madaling panahon ay siya ay uuwi rito para makapag-kampanya na...Pagkadating nya dito ay tutulungan na naming s'yang magkampanya dun sa Sarangani at gano'n din naman sya sa akin,” Villar said.
Pacquiao will run against Roy Chiongbian, a top executive of Eastern Shipping Lines for the lone district of Sarangani. He joined the country’s oldest political party on his 31st birthday in December 18 last year. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)