MANILA, Philippines – Boxing champion and Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao is grateful to the Aquino government for his promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, but clarifies that he did not ask for the promotion.
“Hindi ako ang may idea niyan,” said Pacquiao, who is currently in Los Angeles preparing for his trilogy bout against Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12.
“Sila siguro ang nagkaroon ng idea, ng nag-graduate ako sa DAP, Development Academy of the Philippines, at doon siguro nila nakuha yung idea,” he added.
Pacquiao’s promotion was met with criticism, with former president of the National Defense College of the Philippines Clarita Carlos saying that Pacquiao did not finish college, which is a requirement for his new rank.
Pacquiao was a former master sergeant and jumped five ranks after Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. signed his commission papers.
Election qualifies Pacquiao
But Col. Quirino Calanzano, Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Reservist Affairs, said the Army considered Pacquiao’s status as an elected official and his honorary doctorate from the South Western University in making the appointment.
Calanzano also said that Pacquiao applied for the appointment, something that the boxing champion denies.
Indeed, Pacquiao said he is surprised about the promotion.
“Na-surprise lang tayo na nabigyan tayo ng ganoong ranggo at na-promote tayo,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao also accepted the criticisms stemming from his promotion, saying he could not please everybody.
“Hindi naman natin maiiwasan yung mga magkwe-kwestyon, pero s’yempre approved naman ng ating Presidente iyan, approved ng mga nakatataas, so sila ang nakaka-alam,” Pacquiao said.
With his new rank, Pacquiao can theoretically lead a battalion of 400-500 people, according to Prof. Carlos.
But Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Zosimo Jesus Paredes II said Pacquiao will only receive “minimum privileges.”
“They can be saluted by officers lower than their rank…anything that goes with the rank, they will get it, but more than that, nothing really,” Paredes said. — With a report from Yvee Tadeo-Guevara, ABS-CBN News.
