GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — As promised, the city government rolled out the red carpet for the homecoming of its greatest son, boxing icon Manny Pacquaio.
Mayor Pedro Acharon earlier proposed that Pacquiao ride on the local government unit (LGU) float along with him and South Cotabato Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio.
Pacquiao’s camp objected.
The ring icon asked Acharon and Custodio to give him time to consult his political leaders.
Pacquiao had a meeting with Reynaldo Constantino, one of his political advisers, and after about five minutes, he informed Mayor Acharon that he would board the city government float with his mother Dionisia and father Rosalio only.
Acharon and Custodio rode in their own vehicles.
At the parking lot of the airport, about a thousand vehicles and Pacquaio’s followers were waiting in the scorching heat of the sun.
Franklin Gacal Jr., Pacquiao’s campaign manager, estimated the crowd at around 15,000 to 20,000.
The motorcade covered more than five kilometers.
The float carrying Pacquiao was already in the village of Calumpang but the tail-end of the motorcade had not yet left the airport.
From the airport, the motorcade passed through several urban villages and main streets here before winding up at the oval plaza covered court where a short press conference was held.
During the press conference, Pacquiao thanked the local residents and all Filipinos for praying and supporting his fight.
“Every punch I threw bore the strength and inspiration of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. So you see, Solis fell,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao said he wanted to offer a new brand of politics that was not personal but rather issue-based.
When asked what kind of politics General Santos would have, Pacquiao said he saw no difficulty patching up differences with rivals after the elections.
“If in boxing, opponents hug each other after breaking each other’s faces for 12 rounds, what more in politics where we have long known each other and we’re simply campaigning for people to choose who among us they would like to be their leader?” he said.
Pacquiao said he respected the electorate, which was why he called for unity even among political opponents.
Pacquiao took off his vest printed with Pacman for Congressman before alighting from the plane.
“There is no politics here. I will campaign after the hero’s welcome,” he said.
Acharon thanked Pacquiao for using the float prepared for him by the city government. Acharon said the city government spent the people’s money in preparing the float and it was just proper that Pacquiao use it.
“As incumbent mayor and congressman of the first district, I and Custodio should join Pacman on the float. But since his camp does not want it, we gave way out of respect for Manny,” Acharon said.
Custodio said she was a good sport.
“I’m a No. 1 fan of Manny. Besides, he is my mother’s godson in his wedding,” Custodio said.
