Arroyo set to welcome Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will welcome Filipino boxing champ Manny Pacquiao when he returns to the country Friday, a week after his win over David Diaz in Las Vegas, Nevada. A Malacañang statement said Pacquiao, the newly crowned World Boxing Council lightweight champion, will pay a courtesy call on Arroyo at 10:30 a.m. "He will be honored in Malacañang for being the first Asian to win major titles in four different weight divisions after knocking out Mexican-American David Diaz, dethroning him of the WBC Lightweight title," the Palace said. Pacquiao now rules the WBC flyweight, International Boxing Federation (IBF) super bantamweight, WBC super featherweight, and WBC lightweight world titles. During the courtesy call, he is expected to present to President Arroyo his WBC lightweight belt. On the other hand, the Palace statement said President Arroyo will present him with a special cake baked by the Palace in-house baker. - GMANews.TV