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GENERAL SANTOS City: Thousands of his town mates
lined major thoroughfares for the motorcade that followed the
arrival of the newly crowned World Boxing Council Lightweight
Champion Manny Pacquiao at 9 a.m. Monday as the latter waves with
pride atop a city-government vehicle on a motorcade down to the
heart of the city shortly after he arrived at 9 a.m.
Top local officials headed by
Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. and Malungon
town Mayor Reynaldo Constantino met the Filipino ring champion at
the Gensan International Airport, in a grand homecoming.
The motorcade ended at the Oval
Plaza Covered Court where a huge crowd of Pacman fans and members of
media waited for a scheduled press conference before Pacquiao and
his security convoy proceeded to his residence. Later in the
evening, the city hosted a victory party at the City Country Homes
Hotel and Restaurant.
“My victory is your victory
too,” declared Pacquiao to the delight of the crowd at the covered
court, while he was seated Acharon and Custodio. He also gave his
assurance that he has no intentions of running for any political
position in the city in the 2010 elections, denying speculations
that his good deeds for Malungon is preparation for the coming
elections.
The crowd screamed and applauded
even more when Pacquiao underscored that his main concern presently
was his career in boxing and his plan to continue with his studies.
He said his political objectives would have to wait until after he
retires, although he did say when intends to stop fighting in the
ring. He added that he would be investing more on business, not just
for his family but his town mates as well who are in dire need of
employment.
Pacman also extended his
gratitude to Custodio, his closest political rival during the 2007
elections, for sponsoring a free widescreen live telecast of his
recent fight
--Isagani P. Palma
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