Pacquiao: No political color in meeting with Noynoy

Filipino boxing champ and incoming Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao on Thursday said the public should not make a big deal out of his meeting with leading presidential candidate Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III last Wednesday. "Courtesy call lang dahil incoming president siya [Aquino], respeto lang (It's just a courtesy call to show my respect to the incoming president)," Pacquiao said in an interview aired over GMA News' "24 Oras" Thursday. Pacquiao had endorsed the candidacy of Sen. Manny Villar Jr., who was Aquino's closest rival during the campaign period. Both Pacquiao and Villar are members of the Nacionalista Party.

The Liberal Party, Aquino's political group, claimed the visit was a manifestation of Pacquiao's support to its presidential candidate, who enjoys a five-million lead over Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino presidential bet former President Joseph Estrada. Pacquiao was with his wife Jinkee and chief of staff Jayke Joson during the visit, which reportedly lasted less than an hour. Pacquiao, however, said the meeting with Aquino didn't mean that he has abandoned the Nacionalista Party. "Wala sa akin ang parti-partido (I don't care about parties)," he said. "Ang importante paano maiahon sa hirap ang constituents ko sa Sarangani (What is important is improving the lives of my constituents in Sarangani)." He added that now that the elections are over, it is time for political rivals to unite for the betterment of the country. "Magandang halimbawa na magkaisa tayong lahat dahil gusto nating umangat ang ating bansa (I just set an example on how unity after the elections can be attained for the betterment of our country)," Pacquiao said. After an unsuccessful bid for a House seat as South Cotabato representative in the 2007 elections, Pacquiao ran and won in the May 2010 elections as Sarangani representative.- KBK, GMANews.TV