Following Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim’s announcement that Manny Pacquiao will not be able to join the hero’s welcome for the boxer, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. is scheduled to host a party for the boxer after his arrival Thursday.
“Secretary Lito Atienza is scheduled to host a heartwarming welcome party [Thursday] as it rolls out the red carpet to honor the homecoming boxing champion,” a DENR statement said Wednesday.
“At 8:30 a.m., Pacquaio will pay a courtesy call on Secretary Atienza at the DENR Main Office along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City where thousands of employees, fans and friends are expected to meet and rain the World Boxing Council (WBC) [international] super featherweight champion with colorful confetti,” it added.
The statement also said that Pacquiao will hold a press conference at the DENR main office’s Social Hall following the courtesy call.
Pacquiao is scheduled to arrive at 4 a.m. on board a Philippine Airlines flight from Los Angeles, California.
Pacquiao is also scheduled for another courtesy call on President Arroyo at Malaca?ang after the DENR event. He will be accompaniced by Atienza to the palace.
The statement added that the solid friendship of Pacquiao, an adopted son of Manila, and Atienza, who was a three-term Manila mayor, dates back tp the early training years of the boxing icon at a gym in Sampaloc district.
The DENR statement came after city government of Manila canceled a planned hero?s welcome for the boxing icon scheduled Friday because of his “prior commitment.”
Lim said Wednesday that his staff received a text message from Eric Pineda, Pacquiao?s business manager, saying that the WBC international super featherweight champ cannot attend the proposed motorcade and program being prepared for him.
Lim said Pineda did not elaborate.
City administrator Jesus Mari Marzan showed ABS-CBN News a copy of the proposed route for Pacquiao’s motorcade. He said city hall officials had been planning for the event since Monday after Pacquiao’s successful defense of his title against Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas.
Marzan added that streamers have already been ordered for the motorcade.
The DENR statement confirmed rumors that Pacquiao will proceed directly to Atienza’s office.
Pacquiao always dropped by City Hall during the incumbency of Atienza, Lim’s predecessor.
Lim, who beat Atienza’s son Ali in the May 14 elections, said he would like to continue this practice.
