Pacquiao meets with Aquino on eve of departure for US

On the eve of his flight to the United States to continue preparing for his next bout, boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny" Pacquiao paid a courtesy call on President Benigno Aquino III. Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte confirmed the meeting but said details of it were not immediately available. A report on Q-11 television’s Balitanghali newscast said Aquino expressed his hopes for Pacquiao’s victory over Mexican Antonio Margarito during their Nov. 13 bout (Nov. 14 in Manila). The Balitanghali report also said Aquino asked Filipinos to support and pray for Pacquiao’s victory.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Pacquiao and his team, including chief trainer Freddie Roach, are scheduled to leave Saturday night on Philippine Airlines for Los Angeles. On the other hand, an account on the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted lawyer Franklin Gacal as saying Pacquiao met with Aquino at 2 p.m. Friday. It quoted Gacal as saying that when Mr. Aquino walked into the room, he told Pacquiao he had only 10 minutes, but ended up chatting with Pacquiao for around 40 minutes. The Inquirer article also quoted Gacal as saying Pacquiao invited Aquino to watch his fight at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium but Aquino politely declined. — LBG, GMANews.TV