GENERAL SANTOS CITY?To show his allegiance to his new party, boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao will attend today?s inauguration of President-elect Benigno Aquino III.
Pacquiao, who joined Aquino?s Liberal Party (LP) early this week, was set to fly to Manila yesterday for the inauguration at the Quirino Grandstand. He told reporters he would ?support the Aquino administration all the way? in the spirit of unity.
A staunch supporter of President Macapagal-Arroyo, Pacquiao backed the candidacy of Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manny Villar in the May 10 elections and actively campaigned for him.
He said that he sought permission from Villar before he joined the LP, and that the latter ?understood because this [change of party] is for the good of our country.?
But he has yet to be sworn in as LP member.
On May 18, Pacquiao visited Aquino at his residence in Quezon City.
The newly elected lawmaker said that among the things they discussed at the meeting were the problems in Sarangani and the power crisis in Mindanao.
Mass oath-taking
On Monday, Pacquiao took his oath as congressman before Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio in a ceremony held at the capitol grounds.
The event was a mass oathtaking for all winning candidates?from congressman down to municipal councilors?in the May 10 elections.
Reelected Gov. Miguel Dominguez said he and other officials decided to hold the mass oath-taking to project unity amid diversity.
Dominguez and his running mate, Steve Chiongbian-Solon, became a virtual minority as the elections were dominated by the candidates of Pacquiao?s party, the People?s Champ Movement (PCM).
Nine of 10 Sangguniang Panlalawigan members and five of seven municipal mayors are PCM members.
Dominguez appealed for unity and called on the PCM to set aside partisanship for the sake of the people?s welfare.
Memorable date
For Pacquiao, June 28 is a memorable date in his boxing career.
He recalled that he knocked out Korean boxer Seung-Kon Chae in the first round of their 12-round bout at the Araneta Coliseum on June 28, 2000.
He bagged the World Boxing Championship lightweight plum on June 28, 2008, by knocking out David Diaz in the ninth round of their 12-round fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the United States.
On Monday, June 28, Pacquiao again made history by becoming the first ever boxer-lawmaker.
He defeated Roy Chiongbian, a political heavyweight with a well-oiled machinery.
His victory ended the more than three decades of Chiongbian rule in Sarangani.
Campaign promises
In his inaugural address, Pacquiao said his political success was the people?s victory.
He promised to deliver on his campaign promises, which included building a provincial hospital, providing livelihood opportunities to farmers and fisherfolk, giving needy and deserving students educational scholarships, and working on legislation that would help the development of Filipino athletes.
He called on his constituents to shun partisan politics and work toward a common goal?the development of Sarangani and the uplift of its residents? living conditions.
?Let us try to look back, look around and look forward. But let?s also take time to look up. Look up to God with faith and hope,? Pacquiao said.
