Report: Manila readies hero's welcome for Pacquiao

A hero's welcome awaits boxing icon and Saranggani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao when he returns to the Philippines. Manila City mayor Alfredo Lim ordered preparations for the grand welcome for Pacquiao, according to a report on dwIZ radio. Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino III personally congratulated Pacquiao on his victory against Sugar Shane Mosley on Sunday. In a message on his Twitter account Sunday night, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Aquino "spoke" to Pacquiao but did not give details. "​President Aquino just spoke to Manny Pacquiao to congratulate him on his victory," Lacierda said, citing information from Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ramon "Ricky" Carandang. Carandang is with Aquino and the Philippine delegation in Jakarta, Indonesia for the recently concluded Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. Earlier, Aquino issued a statement congratulating Pacquiao for his unanimous decision victory over Mosley. "Walang dudang isang bayani si Manny Pacquiao: ang pound for pound King na patuloy na naghahatid ng papuri sa bansang Pilipinas, at bumubuhay sa diwa at dangal ng lahing Pilipino," Aquino said in his statement. - VVP, GMA News