MALACA?ANG and the city government of Manila have prepared a grand celebration for returning boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, who arrives today after knocking out Mexican ring legend Erik Morales in Las Vegas last Sunday.
However, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo saw no need to declare today a special holiday, as has been suggested by a senator.
Pacquiao is scheduled to arrive at 5 a.m. today on a Philippine Airlines flight from Los Angeles. He will meet the President at 10 a.m. at the palace.
Ermita also praised Pacquiao for volunteering to serve as a negotiator with the escaped leaders of the so-called Magdalo group that staged the Oakwood mutiny three years ago.
In the city of Manila, police announced the deployment of 4,550 uniformed and civilian policemen to secure the visit of Pacquiao to the presidential palace, as well as the motorcade and ticker-tape parade prepared for the boxing champion.
MPD director Chief Supt. Pedro Bulaong said the policemen would also secure Team Pacquiao in Malaca?an Palace and Manila City Hall, and accompany him to Quezon City.
Both cities have declared Pacquiao, who hails from General Santos City, as an adopted son.
Bulaong said the security preparations would also ensure the safety of prominent personalities who will meet Pacquiao.
The Pacquiao motorcade will start at Manila City Hall around 10:30 a.m. and will pass through Jones Bridge, Escolta, Plaza Sta. Cruz, Dasmari?as, Quintin Paredes, Reina Regente, Recto, Del Pan, Zaragoza and Road 10.
The motorcade will return to Manila from Quezon City via Nagtahan Bridge, Zamora, Pe?afrancia, Pedro Gil and Onyx Street and will culminate at the Dagonoy Market.
The highlight of Pacquiao’s visit in Manila will be a street party at the Plaza Raja Sulayman in Malate, in front of the Baywalk, which will be closed to traffic starting 3 p.m. Fel V. Maragay and Joel Zurbano
