Manny Pacquiao back in RP; hero's welcome prepared

MANILA, Philippines - Eight days after he snatched the World Boxing Council super featherweight title from Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, boxing champ Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao returned home to a hero's welcome on Monday. Pacquiao arrived aboard Philippine Airlines flight 103 before 7 a.m. and received a warm welcome from well-wishers and from family and friends. "Maraming, maraming salamat po sa pagsuporta at sa mainit na pagsalubong (I thank you very much for your support and warm welcome)," Pacquiao said in an interview on dzBB radio. He added it was his honor to bring glory to the country with the WBC super featherweight title, which he won via split decision last March 16 (Manila time). Shortly after 7 a.m., Pacquiao was whisked off to the New World Renaissance hotel in Makati City. Environment Sec. Jose "Lito" Atienza Jr and defeated administration senatorial bet Luis "Chavit" Singson and their bodyguards cordoned Pacquiao and had him ride in Atienza's vehicle en route to the hotel. In his interview before deplaning, Pacquiao said he is now planning to go up another weight class, to 135 lbs. He said his camp is in negotiations for a possible bout with American David Diaz for the lightweight crown. "Kung magkasundo sa negosasyon, alam mo naman si Manny Pacquiao, anytime yan ang hanap ko - laban (If negotiations go well, you know Manny Pacquiao, he'll look for a fight anytime)," he said. Pacquiao also said he was excited to see his family again. His mother Dionisia and three children were ushered to the NAIA Terminal 2 VIP lounge as early as 5 a.m. An earlier dzBB report said Pacquiao's three children were so excited to see their father again, that they woke up at 4 a.m. Pacquiao said he managed to buy the computer his children had asked as "pasalubong." Pacquiao also said he is ready to go on a motorcade on Tuesday where he will go around Manila, Pasay, Makati and Quezon Cities. But he said he will first attend a mass at Manila's Quiapo district. He is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Malacañang later in the day. - GMANews.TV