Pacquiao kicks off campaign in Sarangani

KIAMBA, Sarangani , Philippines  – Boxing champ Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao kicked off here yesterday his campaign for a congressional seat against Roy Chiongbian.

Upon his arrival at the General Santos City airport, Pacquiao, accompanied by the Nacionalista Party (NP) tandem of Senators Manny Villar and Loren Legarda, went directly to this town where the province’s biggest coconut plantation and milling factory owned by the Chiongbians are located.

It took Pacquiao’s party almost an hour to reach the stage as the huge crowd mobbed them, causing an slight injury to Legarda’s right hand.

Pacquiao, who arrived last Monday to a hero’s welcome in Manila after his win over Joshua Clottey in Texas, told The STAR that he is going to help the “Sarangans” (residents of Sarangani) by helping the poor.

“Just like my idol and my president, Manny Villar, top of my priorities if I will win in this election is to help the needy or the poor,” he said.

He said he would address poverty in Sarangani through livelihood, education, medical services and other projects.

Pacquiao’s ally gubernatorial bet Juan Domino said the boxing champ is a sure winner in his one-on-one fight with Chiongbian.

Chiongbian is the youngest son of former Sarangani governor Priscilla Chiongbian and former congressman James Chiongbian.  – With Tina Mendez