Malaca?ang will arrange a hero’s welcome stripped of politics for boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who successfully defended his World Boxing Organization welterweight title against Ghanian boxer Joshua Clottey at the Cowboys Stadium in Texas on Sunday.
Deputy spokesman Gary Olivar said that the Palace would start preparations this week in welcoming Pacquiao. It was not known when Pacquiao would return to the Philippines.
Olivar added that Pacquiao’s affiliation with another political party would not affect the boxer’s ties with the administration. The Filipino boxing icon is a partymate of Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr. in the May 10 elections.
“Well the Palace doesn’t care about Manny Pacquiao being identified with the opposition. In the same way that the Comelec [Commission on Elections] said that whatever recognition is given to Manny will not be considered electioneering because this is part of the celebration of his success and this is for Filipinos,” the Malaca?ang spokesman said.
“And we wish them all the best of luck as we wish the same all the people who are participating in this [election] campaign. We trust that Manny will continue to maintain himself above all else as a symbol of national unity and national pride,” Olivar added.
President Gloria Arroyo’s spokesman was one of those who praised the Filipino boxer’s victory on Sunday. “We join the nation in jubilation over Manny Pacquiao’s latest conquest. Once again, he has proved that the Filipino’s talent and determination set us apart,” Olivar said right after Pacquiao’s triumph over Clottey.
Pineda in hot water Meanwhile, international singer Arnel Pineda may end up in jail for a year if found guilty for violation of the law on how to properly sing the Philippine National Anthem, according to the Department of Justice.
Pineda got the ire of the National Historical Institute (NHI) with his supposedly wrong rendition of “Lupang Hinirang” before the Pacquiao-Clottey fight.
The NHI said that it would file a case against Pineda before the Justice department for violation of Republic Act (RA) 8491, which prescribes the code of the national flag, anthem, motto, coat-of-arms and other heraldic items and devices of the Philippines.
Section 20 of RA 8491 provides that the playing or singing of the anthem should be “in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.”
Acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra also on Monday said that government prosecutors are ready to tackle the complaint being contemplated by the NHI against Pineda.
Agra added that he cannot pass on judgment on whether there was a violation on Pineda’s part.
“I am sorry I did not watch the bout yesterday [Sunday] until now so I did not see how the anthem was rendered,” he said.
Agra noted that it was the same issue that got singer Martin Nievera in trouble with the NHI.
“It is clear, the law specifies the tone and hymn of the national anthem,” he said.
Agra, the concurrent solicitor general, said that the Office of the Solicitor General had issued a legal opinion on the national-anthem row.
He, however, admitted, that there is no precedent on the issue.
“NHI is yet to file a case against any [whom it deems has] violated the law,” Agra said. Angelo S. Samonte And William B. Depasupil
