Thousands of adoring Filipinos lined the streets of downtown Manila and the heart of Makati?s financial district to give returning hero Manny Pacquiao a fantastic welcome yesterday.
At Malaca?ang Palace, Pacquiao offered President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo his belt as ?The People?s Champion,? a VHS tape of his victory over legendary Mexican featherweight king Marco Antonio Barrera, and a commemorative t-shirt of his fight.
In turn, the President bestowed the ?Presidential Medal of Merit? on the champion and gave him P1 million as a token of appreciation for his spectacular achievements.
Among those present at the Ceremonial Hall were government officials led by Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita, PSC Chairman Eric Buhain, Games and Amusements Board Commissioner Emmanuel Palabrica and World Boxing Council founding secretary general Rudy Salud.
