Villar admits Pacquiao's presence in sorties may not bring in votes

Manny Pacquiao has proven he could unite Filipinos everytime he has a fight inside the ring. But presidential bet Senator Manuel Villar Jr. admits that the boxing champ's presence in his sorties may not bring him the needed votes for the presidency come election day. At the same time, Villar is also not sure whether his presence in Pacquiao's own sortie in Saranggani will prove to be beneficial to the congressional bid of the Filipino boxing sensation. Nonetheless, Villar said he will invite Pacquiao in the political rallies of the Nacionalista Party. He also vowed to join Pacquiao in Saranggani when the campaign period for local candidates start later this month. "Sa akin hindi ko masyadong iniisip kung ano ang epekto nun, sabi nga ng iba baka hindi naman malaki pero ang importante sa akin ay basta kami magkasama, walang problema. Sa akin isang karangalan na makasama sa kampanya ang isang bayani ng bayan," Villar told reporters upon his arrival at the New World Hotel in Makati City. He arrived at the hotel minutes earlier than Pacquiao's entourage which includes former Environment Secretary Jose "Lito" Atienza and deputy national security adviser Luis "Chavit" Singson. The group shared a breakfast of corned beef, tapa, relyenong bangus, hipon, danggit, chicken skewers, fried rice, muffins and croissants. Asked if he is not afraid of the supposed Pacquiao kiss of death, Villar replied that he does not believe it. "There is always a first time and for me this is not just about elections but friendship. Manny and I are friends and we are party mates so it should not surprise you that we are together in the sorties," Villar said. Life after boxing On the readiness of Pacquiao to run for a congressional post, Villar said the boxing champion is more mature now and he knows what he is doing after his failure in 2007. Pacquiao lost to Darlene Antonino Custodio when he sought to become congressman of South Cotabato's first district in the 2007 polls. And will Villar's presence turn the tide this time for Pacquiao? "Hindi ko alam kung magbibigay ng panalo yung presence ko pero ang sa akin ay bilang tulong sa isang kaibigan at bilang kasama naming sa partido kaya ako ay nagbibiggay ng suporta sa kasama sa partido lalo na sa isang kaibigan (I don't know if my presence will result to his victory but as a friend and party mate, I will give him all the support)," Villar said. He added that it is time for Pacquiao to think about life after boxing. "I think he deserves to be elected as congressman. Dapat ipagkaloob natin sa kanya yung karangalang makapagsilbi, talaga namang nakapagsilbi siya sa bayan, nakapagbigay siya ng karangalan," Villar said. Asked if the NP will provide Pacquiao with campaign funds, Villar said the boxing champ did not ask for any financial help. Still, he assured that the party will give Pacquiao all the assistance he needs during the campaign. Boxing, politics don't mix At a press conference at New World Hotel, Pacquiao asked his critics not to mix boxing with politics. "Ang pulitika naman ay serbisyo yan, paglilingkod sa tao kaya wag nating ihalo ang boxing at pulitika," he said. Pacquiao did not directly answer the question on his chances of winning this time, merely saying that he is whole-heartedly offering his services to the people. Pacquiao also said he wants to change the image of a politician — from someone branded as corrupt to someone who really serves the people. — RSJ, GMANews.TV