GMA backs Manny's 'Boxing For Peace'

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo will attend the Manny Pacquiao Boxing for Peace program set on July 8 at the newly refurbished boxing gym at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

Philippine Sports Commission chair Harry Angping yesterday got the official confirmation from the Palace after he received a text message from his staff back in Manila while on a train trip from Guangzhou to Hong Kong.

Accompanied by shooting chief Art Macapagal, PRISAA national chairman and executive assistant Atty. Paul Vega, Angping toured China to renew ties with the fast-rising world sports power and learn from it.

“Yes, we got the confirmation from the appointment office of Malacañang this morning,” said a top staff by Angping.

Ronald Joves from the office of the Appointments Secretary signed the letter.

The Boxing for Peace, which would pit the best boxers from the Armed Forces and the national police against the finest from the MILF and MNLF, will coincide with the inauguration of the two-storey boxing facility.

The gym, which was financed by the country’s sports funding agency, will house the national pugs on the ground floor and a gym on the second floor.

Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines executive director Ed Picson yesterday said they will finalize details of the event upon Angping’s arrival.

The program was conceptualized by no less than the Chief Executive herself along with Angping and ABAP chair Manny V. Pangilinan, who is also the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president. – Joey Villar