Sarangani congressman-elect Manny Pacquiao will induct into office Mayor Evelio Leonardia, during the Inaugural Ceremony for the elected City Officials of Bacolod 5 p.m. July 3 at the Bacolod City Government Center.
Leonardia will be the first mayor to be inducted at the Government Center, a press release from City Hall said.
Pacquiao is the only active boxer who is also a congressman and holds the distinction of winning seven titles in seven different weight divisions. Leonardia, on the other hand, is the only Bacolod mayor who was elected for four terms and the youngest mayor elected by Bacole?os in 1995, it said.
Leonardia was elated that Pacquiao, who is an ?adopted son? of Bacolod, decided to take time out from his busy schedule to swear the mayor into office. On his trip to Bacolod City, Pacquiao will be accompanied by his wife Jinkee, the press release said.
The friendship between Pacquiao and Leonardia dates back many years when the People?s Champ was made an adopted son of Bacolod.
It was strengthened when Pacquiao asked the Bacolod mayor to be his belt holder in his championship fights. The string of victories achieved by Pacquiao with Leonardia beside him prompted the people?s champ to refer to the city mayor as his ?lucky charm?, the release said.
Leonardia is a godfather to Pacquiao?s third child and first daughter Princess.
The inaugural ceremony will be held in the afternoon of July 3 at the government center grounds with Senator-elect Franklin Drilon as guest speaker.
Before the ceremony, there will be three-day pre-inaugural activities that will be spearheaded by the city employees themselves, the press release added.*
