THE COLD welcome Manny Pacquiao received during his brief visit to Cebu over the weekend is already part of efforts by his prospective political opponents to ruin the boxing star’s plans to run for public office, somebody from Pacquiao’s camp disclosed yesterday.
“Boxing fans aren’t like that,” said the source. “The booing came from people in the gallery who had posters and streamers urging Pacquiao to get back to the gym.”
“It was organized very well. Those who booed Manny were probably hired to jeer him,” added the source, who was present when Pacquiao arrived to watch the Z Gorres-Fernando Montiel world super-flyweight title match last Saturday.
While Pacquiao’s intention to run for a Congress seat in the first district of South Cotabato doesn’t sit well with his supporters, “the people of Cebu still love Manny and while they do not agree with his plan to run, they would not go to that extent.”
“When Manny jogged on Saturday morning, he stopped the flow of traffic in Cebu,” said the boxing man.
Pacquiao is eyeing to replace incumbent South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, who believes that the 28-year-old General Santos resident is hellbent in running in the May 14 polls despite reports on the contrary.
“Gumagalaw ang mga tao niya dito,” the youthful lawmaker said on Tuesday when asked for her reaction on reports that Pacquiao has backed out of the race so he could focus on his April 14 fight with Jorge Solis of Mexico in San Antonio, Texas.
Pacquiao’s lawyer Franklin Gacal said the fighter hasn’t decided yet whether he will go on with his plans.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, arrived in Manila from GenSan yesterday to gain the support of the Iglesia ni Cristo for senatorial candidate Chavit Singson.
But training assistant Buboy Fernandez made sure Pacquiao would still work out a sweat as he brought along the boxer’s training gear.
“Buboy joined Manny so he won’t miss training today,” said Pacquiao Canadian adviser Mike Koncz.
Pacquiao is expected to head back to GenSan this morning so he could work out at the Abap Gym but would be back in Manila tomorrow so he could preside over his promotion at the Rajah Sulayman Park.
Pacquiao plans to fly to Los Angeles on Tuesday night for the final phase of his training.
