MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing icon and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao is set to pay a customary courtesy call on President Benigno Aquino III this afternoon a week after his victory over Timothy Bradley Jr.
Citing a text message from the Palace, government-run Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported that Pacquiao's courtesy call will be held at the Music Room in Malacañang at 1 p.m.
The eight-division champion returned to the Philippines on Good Friday after regaining the World Boxing Organization Welterweight title from Bradley in their rematch held in Las Vegas, Nevada last Sunday (Manila time).
With a unanimous decision win, Pacquiao avenged his controversial split decision loss from Bradley during their first match in 2012.
Malacañang praised Pacquiao for his recent victory, saying the boxing champion serves as an inspiration to all Filipinos as a "symbol of our recovery" from the disasters that devastated the country in 2013.
In a statement, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Sonny Coloma Jr also described Pacquiao as a "national treasure in global sports."