GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines?Local officials of Sarangani Province and this city are expected to troop to the General Santos City Airport to lead the hero’s welcome for newly-crowned Ring Magazine and International Boxing Organization (IBO) junior welterweight champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao Tuesday morning.
Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr. told reporters that local officials here and from Sarangani will meet and greet Pacquiao and his entourage at the airport.
Acharon said the usual activities during hero’s welcome for the pound-for-pound boxing champ will remain the same, except that it was shortened due to Pacquiao’s tight schedule.
He said that from the airport, Pacquiao’s motorcade will pass the city’s main thoroughfares before proceeding to the Oval Plaza where a short welcome program and press conference will be held.
After which, Pacquiao and his group will proceed to Kiamba town in Sarangani province where another hero’s welcome and victory party will be waiting for him.
Kiamba Mayor Reynaldo Constantino, spokesman and political adviser of Pacquiao here, told reporters that the boxing icon will make several stop over in villages along the National Highway leading to Kiamba to meet with his fans.
Constantino said a welcome party and a press conference will also be held in Kiamba, where Pacman’s other multi-million mansion is being constructed.
Kiamba is also the hometown of Pacman’s wife Jinky.
The Filipino boxing legend has changed his address from General Santos City to Sarangani, where he is planning to run for congress in next year’s election.
Several local political leaders have already moved to Pacman’s local political party, People’s Champ Movement (PCM).
Late last week, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila approved the petition filed by Pacquiao’s lawyers asking the poll body to recognize PCM as a local political party in Sarangani Province.
