MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Manny Villar Jr., a Presidential aspirant, confirmed yesterday that People’s Champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao would be running for congressman of Sarangani province under the Nacionalista Party (NP).
This is a screenshot of the video taken in Baguio City where Sen. Manny Villar appears to woo Manny Pacquiao to join politics, with Coach Freddie Roach standing by.
Villar met Friday with Pacquiao at the Manila Hotel where the victory dinner for the boxing legend was held following his success in the Firepower bout with Miguel Cotto last November 14 in Las Vegas. During the dinner, Villar said he spoke with Pacquiao who made known his intention to join NP and run for Congress.
“Kasama natin si Manny. Siya ang kandidato natin sa Sarangani (Manny is with us. He is our candidate in Sarangani),” Villar said.
The boxing icon, however, has yet to announce whether he would run under the NP.
Villar said Pacquiao even handed him during the dinner a copy of a DVD of his fight with Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. The DVD was said to have been signed “To my President” and was given to him by Pacquiao as a gift.
Bren Evangelio, a close aide of Pacquiao, said “There is no official announcement yet coming from Manny himself. But Manny has to make an announcement soon because he and his political opponent are both (from the administration party) Lakas-Kampi-CMD.”
Pacquiao arrived in Manila from Los Angeles last Friday and hit the metropolis on a parade. A mini-concert followed and the pound-for-pound king was conferred the Order of Sikatuna by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hours before the Friday dinner at the Manila Hotel. Pacquiao is the first fighter in history to win seven world titles in seven different weight classes.
The boxing champ later told reporters he would file his certificate of candidacy before the deadline on Dec. 1.
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