Newly crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao should focus on boxing.
This was the unsolicited advice given yesterday by Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. to the Filipino champ in the event some quarters attempt to bank on his increased popularity for their own political interests.
?Boxing has nothing
to do with President Arroyo. I think we should not use a person like Pacquiao because there are only few left who give pride to our country. Let?s just allow our countrymen to continue giving glory to the nation,? he said in a press conference when asked on the possibility of the boxer helping the administration redeem people?s trust and confidence.
?I think Manny Pacquaio only has one influence which is to make us all proud to be a Filipino. Not all are like him. There are also those who are embarrassments to us. Pacquiao can accompany whoever he wants to but that?s not boxing. It?s politics. It should be better for Manny to focus more on,? he said.
Villar, however, would not give any categorical statement on whether it would do the boxer more harm than good if he would opt to be highly identified with Malaca?ang.
?In reality, Pacquiao can do what he wants to do. My faith in him won?t change no matter who he goes with. For me, I believe in him as a Filipino, as a boxer,? he said.
But Malaca?ang was quick to use Pacquiao?s victory as sort of a magnetizing factor to call on the people to unite and celebrate his win as a chance for unity and healing amid the snowballing calls for the President Arroyo?s resignation.
In fact, Malaca?ang is preparing a grand hero?s welcome for the boxing champion.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, during a radio interview, said the chief executive is preparing a bigger hero?s welcome for Pacquiao when he returns to the country after the Holy Week.
?We will prepare a more impressive hero?s welcome for Manny because of the world title he won,? he added.
The Palace official also defended Pacquiao?s controversial victory over Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.
Ermita said Pacquiao deserved the victory, citing the the third-round knock down he did to Marquez.
?I think the third round knockdown was a major factor for his victory and the judges considered that. Manny deserves it,? he stressed.
Pacquiao won over Marquez by a split decision .
Judge Duane Ford favored Pacquiao, 115-112, and Jerry Roth called it 115-112 for Marquez, while Tom Miller gave a 114-113 edge to Pacquiao despite giving the last two rounds to Marquez. Angie M. Rosales and Sherwin C. Olaes
