BIRD?S of the same feathers flock together.
Thus is the truism in the old adage as WBC Super Featherweight Champion Manny Pacman Pacquiao reaped his top presidential award better than the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. who has yet to be conferred the 2006 National Artist award for his feats in Philippine moviedom.
Pacquiao was formally decorated by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the Order of Lakandula during a courtesy call yesterday in Malaca?ang.
The President also gifted him with a glove-shaped bread adorned with the Philippine flag.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, however, stressed that Pacman deserved the top award which was instituted with the issuance by Arroyo of Executive Order 540 establishing within the Order of Lakandula the Rank of Champion for Life (Kampeon Habang Buhay).
The award has the rank next to that of officer. It is conferred to individuals who have attained outstanding achievement in an international event in sports, beauty and similar fields of competition and achievement which foster extraordinary national pride and inspiration toward excellence.
Pacquiao is the first recipient of the award to be followed by international beauty titlist Precious Lara Quigaman, the Filipino gold medalists in the Southeast Asian games and the Mt. Everest Pinoy climbers including Heracleo Oracion, Erwin Emata, and Romeo Garduce.
The EO amended EO 236 issued last Sept. 19, 2003 tackling the Honors Code of the Philippines.
The President did not make any remarks during the conferment rites. In a prepared statement, she said she dreamt of seeing the same passion of Pacquiao in the hearts of our leaders and all Filipinos in supporting a common vision of the future.
