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Palace prepares hero’s welcome for Pacquiao


There will be no additional special title or award from Malacañang this time but the Palace is preparing to give seven-division champion Manny Pacquiao a special hero’s welcome upon his return on Friday. “We will pull out all stops to give Manny Pacquiao the welcome that he truly deserves," Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Tuesday. “Pacquiao has indeed become today the world’s greatest boxer and he has made of all us proud and the least that we can do for Pacquiao is really to give him all the honor that he deserves," he added.

Manny Pacquiao and President Arroyo share a light moment during the hero’s welcome for the boxing champ last May in celebration of his win over Briton Ricky Hatton. GMANews.TV
The 30-year-old Pacquiao is coming off an eye-popping 12th round TKO win over Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico Saturday in Las Vegas (Sunday in Manila), in the process earning an unprecedented world title in a seventh weight division. According to Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, the Palace has no plans of bestowing another award or special title on the new WBO welterweight champion like it did when Pacquiao beat Briton Ricky Hatton last May. At that time, Malacañang named the Pacman the government’s special envoy for peace and development, tasking him to join efforts to promote peace and unity especially in Mindanao where he hails.

Pacquiao has indeed become today the world’s greatest boxer and he has made of all us proud and the least that we can do for Pacquiao is really to give him all the honor that he deserves.
– Press Sec. Cerge Remonde
Remonde said President Arroyo gave Pacquiao the title because she saw his potential to exert moral influence in order to contribute to peace in the South. “Tingnan natin sa pagbabalik niya if there is anything again that he can contribute for the betterment of our country and our people. And considering his love of country and patriotism, we’ll also be able to come out with something but as to the question whether we are thinking of giving him additional title, right now, we are not doing that yet," he said. Remonde said Malacañang is coordinating with Pacquiao's camp and government sports officials in arranging the welcome party for the pound-for-pound king. Mrs. Arroyo has been a known friend and supporter of Pacquiao. The Chief Executive, though, wasn’t able to watch how Pacquiao demolished Cotto, having been at Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (Apec) summit in Singapore at the time of the fight. It would have been highly-irresponsible for the President to leave her fellow Apec leaders just to watch the fight, Remonde explained. - GMANews.TV