Flu scare, typhoon won’t stop Pacquiao's return on Friday

MANILA, Philippines - Despite government appeal for Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao to defer his return flight to Manila after his victory against British slugger Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas in Nevada, the people's champ confirmed Thursday his homecoming would push through as scheduled. In an interview on dzBB radio, Pacquiao said he was set for his departure from Los Angeles, California, at 10 p.m. Wednesday (Thursday morning, Manila time) and his arrival in Manila on Friday morning. The Department of Health has been asking Team Pacquiao to postpone its flight back to the Philippines in the wake of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus infection that has killed 29 people in Mexico, two in the US, and has sickened thousands in North America, Europe and elsewhere. “Darating na actually sa airport right now [We’re on our way to the airport right now]," Pacquiao said. The world’s top pound-for-pound fighter said he and his entourage are pushing through with his trip because no one among Team Pacquiao members are displaying signs of the dreaded flu, which are similar to those of typical flu, such as fever, coughing, chills, pain, sinus problems, sore throat, and fatigue. “Kung wala ka naman sipon, lagnat, bakit ka ika-quarantine [Why would we impose self-quarantine when none of us has colds or flu]," Pacquiao said. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III had suggested that Team Pacquiao should postpone their return Friday to Tuesday next week after World Health Organization (WHO) report saying the virus strain has already reached third generation human-to-human transmission. Under such mode of transmission, an infected person from Mexico – the virus’ epicenter – passed on the virus to someone from Los Angeles, who in turn transmitted the virus to another. Failing to persuade Pacquiao from postponing return trip, Duque instead suggested that the champ's team should impose “self-quarantine." Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita relayed Duque’s advice to Pacquiao, but said Malacañang would respect whether Pacquiao would heed the recommendation. Ermita likewise said that the national day of celebration in honor of Pacquiao would be moved from Friday to Monday next week. - GMANews.TV