Pacman campaigns for Pinoy in Guam

Manny Pacquiao is on the campaign trail.

No, the Filipino boxing icon isn’t campaigning for himself yet, or anyone else in the Philippines, but for a Filipino who’s running for the post of governor in Guam.

Pacquiao, in fact, will leave for Guam today to join a campaign sortie for Carl Gutierrez, who will try to regain his old post when Guam holds its elections in September.

Gutierrez served as governor of Guam for two terms before yielding it during the last elections. He is out to reclaim his seat against an American incumbent.

Pacquiao, himself rumored to be seeking the post of Manila vice mayor in next May elections, yesterday said he will render two songs in Gutierrez’ campaign sortie on Saturday.

"That’s it. Two songs only," said Pacquiao at the lobby of the Century Park Hotel where he met officials of ABS-CBN as they try to finalize the details of his contract regarding his Nov. 18 fight with Erik Morales.

Pacquiao said Gutierrez’ opponent was even willing to come to the Philippines just to have his picture taken, or his hands probably raised, by the world-famous Filipino boxer.

"But I said no because he was going up against a Filipino. Of course, I’m going and rooting for my countryman," added Pacquiao, scheduled to fly back to Manila from Guam on Monday morning.

Pacquiao has trained the last four days in his hometown in Gen. Santos City, and flew to Manila yesterday morning for his meeting with the ABS-CBN officials.

When he returns from Guam, Pacquiao will fly back to Gen. Santos City to resume his training for the awaited third and decisive showdown with Morales at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao had planned to train in Cebu City for at least two weeks before flying to Los Angeles for the final phase of his training, a grueling eight-week program under Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym.

"But we might not push through with our plans to train in Cebu anymore," said Pacquiao. "I’m getting comfortable with the set-up in Gen. Santos City. From there, I might fly straight to LA by Sept. 14," he said.

During a brief chat with a couple of scribes at the hotel lobby, Pacquiao neither confirmed nor denied rumors that he was seeking the post of vice mayor in Manila next May.

"What I’m sure of is that I’ll be very busy campaigning next year because I’ll be campaigning for unity in our country," he said before breaking into a wide smile.