GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Manny Pacquiao’s mother said Friday she hoped that Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. would not let politics ruin their relationship.
Dionisia Pacquiao made the statement in an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer after a local television station reported Acharon as saying that because of his decision to enter politics, the boxer should no longer expect City Hall to put up a hero’s welcome anymore even if he would over Mexican Jorge Solis in their fight in the United States in April.
In the past, the city government always hosted a grand welcome for Pacquiao whenever he came back from his fights abroad, even when he had lost to Mexican Erik Morales.
Contacted for comment, Dionisia Pacquiao said good relationships should not suffer just because of politics.
“I ask the mayor, if it is possible, not to let our relationship suffer because of politics,” she told the Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net. “Politics will pass but a relationship continues.”
Acharon stood as one of the sponsors in Pacquiao’s wedding and has maintained a close relationship with the boxer’s family.
On Wednesday, however, a local television reported Acharon as saying that the city government would no longer put up a grand welcome for Pacquiao as it used to do in the past because of his decision to run for congressman of South Cotabato on the administration ticket against incumbent Representative Darlene Custodio.
Both Acharon and Custodio are with the opposition.
“I just want to be true to myself and I don’t want to be plastic,” Acharon was quoted as saying.
The report created a controversy that had angered Acharon, who denied saying the city government would not lay out a grand welcome for Pacquiao after the fight with Solis.
Acharon told the Inquirer that he was misquoted. “I said I hope the occasion will not be politicized,” he added.
Acharon said he wanted to assure Pacquiao’s mother that he remained his son’s avid fan and that he was determined to preserve his good relationship with the Pacquiaos.
He also said that Pacquiao’s decision to enter politics would not hinder the city government’s plan to put up a large screen, where boxing fans could watch the April fight for free.
