From now on, there will be no more heroe’s welcome for Manny Pacquiao in his hometown in General Santos City. That’s Philippine politics at its finest.
Pacquiao, who will take on the undefeated yet unknown Jorge Solis on April 14, had been lavished by a cult-like, grand arrival every time he comes home from a major victory, but this time, local leaders will now have none of that.
This was announced by City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. during the turnover rites of the Special Education (SPED) school building in Barangay San Isidro last Tuesday, reported Lito De los Reyes, a Mindanao scribe.
“Yan ang aking decision. Eh pinasok na niya (Pacquiao) kasi ang politika,” (That’s my decision because he has already entered politics.), Acharon was quoted as saying.
Acharon is aligned with Pacquiao’s congressional nemesis, Darlene Antonino-Custodio.
Pacquiao, 28, had earlier announced his intention to run in the first congressional district of South Cotabato against Custodio, who belongs to a political family that has long been lording it over South Cotabato.
Also being scrapped by the city is the free live airing to the public of Manny’s fight on April 14. In his previous fight against boxing legend Eric Morales last November 19 in Las Vegas, the city government had sponsored a free live viewing via a cable network at the Lagao gym to the public.
Pacquiao’s supporters, however, have indicated that they would hold their own heroe’s welcome for him if he emerges victorious.
