President Arroyo yesterday approved the proposal of boxer Manny Pacquiao to establish a retirement fund for former Filipino boxing champions.
Pacquiao raised the suggestion to the President during a meeting in Malaca?ang nearly a week after he lost to Erik Morales of Mexico in a Las Vegas bout.
In an interview with reporters, Pacquiao said he asked the President for financial help not for himself but for other Filipino boxers who have excelled and made the country proud.
He said the President gave her nod on his proposed lifetime pension fund for awarded boxers, now mostly retired and destitute, although no amount has yet been specified.
Unlike his previous visits, Malaca?ang closed its doors to the public and only allowed selected Palace employees to congratulate the boxer. The media coverage was also limited to photographers and television cameramen, leaving out reporters.
Pacquiao, dressed in barong tagalog, was accompanied by his wife Jinky, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza during the visit.
Although he suffered an upsetting loss against Morales, Pacquiao still enjoyed the President?s good graces.
He narrated that the President cheered him to win his upcoming rematch with his Mexican opponent this year. The President also promised to help Pacquiao in his legal battle against his American promoter.
Manila honors Manny Pacquiao
By NICK GIONGCO
Though he lost to Erik Morales, Manny Pacquiao was still honored by the City of Manila like a conquering hero.
Touched by the overwhelming display of affection showered on him, Pacquiao told a cheering throng that he will not stop until he exacts revenge against the Mexican icon who beat him in a bloody 12-round fight a week ago.
“I shall return,” Pacquiao said to wild cheers from city hall employees who were gathered at the grounds of of the hall prepared by Mayor Lito Atienza for the boxer?s address.
“Bata pa naman ako at marami pang panahon sa boksing. Gaganti tayo,” said Pacquiao.
Pacquiao said he will continue to fight in the superfeatherweight category (130 lbs) because that?s where Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera are campaigning.
“Hindi ako bababa sa featherweight (division). Sasamahan ko na sina Morales at Barrera dyan. Tatlo na kami dyan kaya?t sa inyong dalawa ? watch out,” he said as the audience went wild.
Atienza, who was at ringside during the Pacquiao-Morales duel, believes the 26-year-old has the skills, punching power, and the heart to redeem himself from that heartbreaking defeat to Morales.
“He can do it,” said Atienza, who stressed that had it not been for the headbutt that opened a gaping wound on the Filipino?s right eyebrow, the outcome could have been different.
“Baka hindi na umabot ng 12 rounds ang laban kung hindi dahil sa cut. The referee (Joe Cortez) said it was caused by a legitimate blow, but when it was shown on slow-motion, it was clear that it was caused by a headbutt,” noted Atienza.
“(The cut) was disheartening. It was disconcerting and there was change in the way he fought after suffering the cut.”
Although Pacquiao lost, Atienza believed the boxer still deserved a hero?s welcome.
“Special sa amin si Manny. He is a symbol of the Filipino?s greatness and we are eagerly anticipating his rematch with Morales.”
