Pacman to focus on political plans

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — After his victorious fight against Mexican-American boxer Oscar de la Hoya, Manny Pacquiao will be busy preparing his political plans for 2010, specifically to run for congressman in nearby Sarangani province.

This was confirmed by Malungon town Mayor Reynaldo “Bong-Bong” Constantino in Sarangani.

Constantino, a close friend and political spokesman of Pacquiao, said the Filipino ring idol is expected to arrive in the city on Friday, days before his 30th birthday on Dec. 17.

He said Pacquiao will visit Kiamba town as soon as he arrives to register his certificate of residency, a prerequisite for filing of candidacy.

Pacquiao, who had been visible in different barangays of the province during the past months, is reportedly eyeing the seat of Sarangani Rep. Erwin Chiongbian, whose 3-year term will end in 2010.

Aside from a dinner party celebration at KCC Mall, Constantino said his municipality also prepared a grand hero’s welcome for Pacquiao.

The boxing sensation was earlier crowned as a tribal chieftain in Malungon town where he is the designated chairman of the local tourism council.

Meanwhile, City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. said the city government will prepare for Pacquiao’s homecoming and victory celebration.

“His townsfolk are very proud of him. He’s really our boxing hero,” Acharon told reporters shortly after viewing the Pacquiao-De la Hoya fight on a big screen mounted at the Lagao gymnasium here.

Some 10,000 people trooped to the Lagao gym to watch the live telecast organized by the city government.

Acharon, together with wife Dra. Rose and South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Pacquiao’s erstwhile political opponent during the 2007 election, led local officials and residents in viewing the fight.

“Manny has proven that he is really a pound-for-pound boxer,” said Custodio who defeated Pacquiao in the 2007 congressional race in the first district of South Cotabato.