MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao yesterday added another feather to his cap after the Philippine Army conferred on him the rank of lieutenant colonel in the reserve corps.
Army chief Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista donned Pacquiao?s shoulder board, which has two sun emblems representing the lieutenant colonel rank, in simple ceremonies held at the Army Officers Club in Fort Bonifacio.
Pacquiao wore Army general office attire but was noticeably sporting a mustache. Military discipline dictates that a soldier should not have a mustache when in uniform. Soldiers who fail to shave were reported to their superiors.
When asked why he did not remove his mustache before receiving his lieutenant colonel rank, Pacquiao said: ?I would have wanted to shave but Jinkee (his wife) does not want it.?
No one among the boxer?s family witnessed the donning of his lieutenant colonel rank. Pacquiao, nevertheless, greeted his wife before he started his acceptance speech.
?Of course, even if she is not here, I will still greet her, my wife Jinkee para good tayo,? he said, drawing laughter from the audience.
Among the prominent personalities who witnessed the event were retired police officer and Pangasinan Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, former Armed Forces chief Victor Ibrado and former Army chief Arturo Ortiz.
The donning of rank insignia is a tradition in the Army designed to publicly recognize the qualifications of personnel that secure a higher rank.
Pacquiao was named reserve Army lieutenant colonel by President Aquino last Sept. 21. Prior to this, he held the rank of reserve senior master sergeant.
