Villar: NP to give Pacquiao hero's welcome

The Nacionalista Party will be giving People's Champ Manny Pacquiao a hero's welcome once he arrives in the Philippines from the United States after earning yet another boxing laurel by beating Joshua Clottey of Ghana last Sunday.

In a radio interview yesterday, NP standard-bearer Manny Villar said the party would definitely throw a big welcome party for Pacquiao, who just joined the party last year, but was still working on the details.

"Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin, subalit bibigyan namin sya ng isang malaking pagsalubong. Hindi namin alam kung sasabay na kami sa marami o bibigyan namin s'ya ng separate," he said.

The senator said Pacquiao phoned him after winning via unanimous decision against Clottey last Sunday, and he was able to get the People's Champ's commitment to join the NP campaign trail.

"Tinawagan nya ako kasi pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng kanyang laban at sinasabi nya na sa lalong madaling panahon ay siya ay uuwi rito para makapag-kampanya na," Villar said.

"...Pagkadating nya dito ay tutulungan na namin s'yang magkampanya dun sa Sarangani at gano'n din naman sya sa akin."

Pacquiao is running for a congressional seat under the NP banner in Sarangani. He joined the NP last December 18 with Villar personally administering the oath at the pound-for-pound king's residence in General Santos City.

His membership coincided with his 31st birthday celebration.

Villar lauded Pacquiao for his recent victory against Clottey.

"Bilang isang miyembro ng partido at bilang isang Pilipino, isang malaking karangalan sa amin na manalo si Manny at magpatuloy sa pagiging pinakadakilang Pilipino. At wala pa akong nakikita o naaalalang Pilipino na nakapagdulot ng gano'ng kalaking karangalan sa atin," Villar said.

"Kaya talagang buong tunay na maipagmamalaki natin yan, hindi lamang bilang ka-partido namin, kundi bilang Pilipino. Syempre hangarin natin na s'ya ay manalo hindi lamang sa boxing kundi sa darating na halalan at tutulungan namin s'ya dyan."