FILIPINO boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao has reportedly turned down the proposed hero?s welcome prepared by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.
In an interview with City Hall public-information office chief Isabel de Leon, Pacquiao, through business manager Eric Pineda, said that a prior commitment will prevent the superstar boxer from acceding to the mayor?s request.
De Leon said city administrator Jesus Marie Marzan has been coordinating with Pineda the past few days regarding the motorcade and its route which they have been setting up since Monday.
Marzan got a text message from Pineda yesterday morning regarding their decision.
?Mr. Marzan has been coordinating with Mr. Pineda regarding the motorcade. Hindi naman masyadong grandioso ?yung motorcade pero we just want to continue the practice of welcoming him as Manila?s adopted son,? said de Leon.
De Leon said the offer to hold the parade is still there, and that city hall officials and the people of Manila are still ready to welcome Pacquiao, a native of General Santos City, who has embraced the city as his second home.
?Kami naman we are just doing our job pero ang malulungkot lang dito ay ang mga tao dito sa Manila. Mayor Lim has instructed us to follow whatever Manny?s decision will be,? said de Leon.
Pacquiao, who will arrive this morning from Los Angeles, will pay a courtesy call on Environment Secretary Lito Atienza at the headquarters of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Quezon City.
Under Atienza?s watch as Manila mayor, Pacquiao has consistently been feted with a hero?s welcome and a motorcade around the city. Pacquiao has consistently cited his closeness with Atienza, for the support he got as a struggling young boxer in Manila.
In the recently concluded elections, Lim bested Atienza?s son Arnold ?Ali? Atienza for mayor.
Once Lim assumed his post on June 30, he immediately ordered the demolition of business establishments along the stretch of Baywalk in Roxas Boulevard, all of which reportedly incurred unpaid tax debts amounting to P7 million.
Knockout Bar, which is owned by Pacquiao, is one of the Baywalk establishments affected by the demolition. It allegedly owes P120,000 to the city government.
Pacquiao, 28, is coming off a sterling 12-round unanimous decision win over Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera on Sunday at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
As he is accustomed to after every fight, Pacquiao is expected to have his hands full in a nonstop series of guest appearances and courtesy calls in the coming weeks.
Recently, Pacquiao signed a TV deal with GMA Network where he is expected to star in a regular sitcom. As for his TV guestings with the network, a reliable source from Team Pacquiao said the boxer stands to earn P100,000 for every appearance in any GMA shows.
Pacquiao is scheduled to arrive at four this morning at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport where Atienza will personally meet Pacquiao.
The Pacquiao entourage will proceed to the DENR main office in Quezon City at 8:30 where fans expected to welcome Pacquiao.
A press conference will follow at the Social Hall of the same headquarters.
Pacquiao will then head to Malaca?ang Palace to pay a courtesy call on the President.
