GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines?They traded barbs during the mid-term elections and became bitter political enemies since then.
But on Wednesday morning, World Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Custodio hugged each other tight during the homecoming ceremony for the boxer here.
They were seen giggling at one point, apparently unmindful of what they went through.
Custodio had said that even if they were political enemies, she remained a Pacquiao fan and always watched his fights.
Before they faced each other in the 2007 congressional race for South Cotabato, which Pacquiao lost, Pacquiao and Custodio were already friends.
His entry into politics under the ruling party not only soured his relations with Custodio but with Mayor Pedro Acharon, an opposition stalwart, as well.
This became evident during the hero?s welcome tendered by the city government for Pacquiao after he defeated Mexican boxer Jorge Solis in April 2007.
Custodio and Acharon were conspicuously absent from the group of officials that welcomed the boxer then.
But on Wednesday, Pacquiao, Custodio and Acharon even took the same float during the motorcade from the airport to the downtown, where a welcome ceremony was held for the boxer.
In a speech delivered during the welcome ceremony for Pacquiao, Custodio was all praises for the boxer.
?I am humbled by his presence today. He?s a true-blooded man of General Santos. He goes to many places but he always comes home here,? she said.
In his speech, Pacquiao said he wanted unity and called on the people to set aside politics for the good of the country.
