No ‘social distancing’ between Arroyo, Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will not observe “social distancing measures" when she meets with Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao on Monday. Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Pacquiao no longer pose a health hazard since he had already been cleared of the dreaded H1N1 (swine flu) virus when he and his entourage arrived in Manila last Friday. “Pacquiao arrived in the country and he has already passed all the required precautionary protocols in the airport and he passed with flying colors. So I think in fairness to our pambansang kamao, he does not pose a health hazard to anyone," Remonde said in a radio interview. Remonde said Pacquiao and his entourage are expected to arrive in Malacañang before 11 a.m. He said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita would meet them and escort them to the Palace. Social distancing means no kissing, hugging and handshakes. The Department of Health (DOH) had earlier advised Pacquiao, who defeated England’s Ricky Hatton last week, to postpone his return to the country as a precautionary measure against the H1N1 virus. - GMANews.TV