BOXING ICON Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao yesterday returned home to a hero?s welcome, and refused to talk about rumored political ambitions.
“I do not want to talk about that [politics]. We are not yet holding the elections Maybe we should think about how we would unite and how we would improve our lives I?m focused on my boxing career,” he told reporters after a courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malaca?ang.
This after reports claimed that the boxer from General Santos City intends to run as Quezon City congressman.
Mr. Pacquiao, who belongs to the Liberal Party wing of Environment Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr., ran as congressman in South Cotabato?s first district in 2007 but lost by a huge margin to incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, a member of the opposition.
Fresh from a victory against Mexican-American boxer Oscar de la Hoya at the weekend, Mr. Pacquiao yesterday arrived in Manila from Los Angeles and proceeded to the Renaissance Hotel in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
During the Palace meeting, Mrs. Arroyo gave Mr. Pacquiao a carrot cake decorated with a red boxing glove and a green boxing belt with the inscription “World?s No. 1 Pound-for-Pound Fighter.”
When Mrs. Arroyo asked how he won amid claims he was the underdog, Mr. Pacquiao spoke of his strong faith in God.
“Don?t tell God you have a big problem but tell your problem that you have a big God,” he added.
Mr. Pacquiao said his team has yet to decide who would be his next opponent. “I will have to take a vacation first,” he added.
Mr. Pacquiao is the first Asian to win major titles in four different weight divisions.
Among these are the World Boxing Council (WBC) Flyweight, International Boxing Federation Super Bantamweight, WBC Super Featherweight, and WBC Lightweight world titles.
He is scheduled to hold a motorcade around Metro Manila today. ? Alexis Douglas B. Romero
