MANILA, Philippines?Vice Presidential candidate Loren Legarda was on Cloud Nine aboard a Philippine Airlines flight to General Santos City Friday morning after world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao suddenly endorsed her candidacy for the May elections.
?Pacquiao formally endorsed Sen. Legarda at a flight going to GenSan today,? said a staff member of Legarda who was with her in a text message.
Pacquiao stood up and personally relayed this to Legarda during the flight.
Legarda was said to be surprised but thrilled to hear the good news.
In November, the world champion expressed support for Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manuel Villar?s presidential candidacy right after his victory over Miguel Cotto.
Villar, Legarda?s running mate, was on the same flight.
Pacquiao told Legarda during the flight that they both ?share the same experience, that?s why they should work together on the same programs and advocacies?to end poverty and provide education and health care,? the staff member quoted the boxer as saying.
The NP tandem and some members of the senatorial slate arrived at 9 a.m. at the General Santos City Airport where they quickly held a press conference in which Pacquiao raised the hands of Villar and Legarda before the start of the motorcade.
?Manny Pacquiao is a national treasure, and I am grateful for his endorsement,? Legarda said.
?Manny Pacquiao makes me proud to be Pinoy, and even prouder that he is with us in the campaign. He has shown us what good old-fashioned hard work and determination can achieve. So I salute Manny,? she said.
Legarda is the godmother of Pacquiao?s youngest daughter, Queen Elizabeth.
They immediately held a motorcade through the towns of Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum to kick off Pacquiao?s congressional bid in Sarangani province.
The sortie was capped by a grand rally at the Kiamba gym attended by thousands of supporters.
The champ is NP?s official congressional bet in Sarangani against businessman Roy Chiongbian.
Villar said that Pacquiao was ?ready to rumble? in Sarangani,? throwing his all-out support behind Pacquiao?s second foray into politics as the campaign period for local positions started. Pacquiao ran and lost in his congressional bid in General Santos against incumbent Darlene Antonino in 2007. He has since shifted residence to his wife?s home province.
?I?ve promised Manny (Pacquiao) that I will attend the opening salvo of his campaign, and our support for his congressional bid will continue,? said Villar, noting the warm welcome accorded to the champion in Sarangani. Michael Lim Ubacm,.mmmjmm
