Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:23:00 11/22/2009
Filed Under: Pacquiao, Eleksyon 2010, Elections, Politics, Inquirer Politics
MANILA, Philippines--Is there a deal in the making between boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar?Aiming to knock out his rivals in the presidential race this early in the game, Villar has invited Pacquiao to carry out his planned run for a seat in the House representing the province of Sarangani under the NP banner.
Villar met with Pacquiao at the Manila Hotel on Friday, where the head honchos of Solar Sports Entertainment hosted a dinner to celebrate the Filipino hero’s Nov. 17 victory over Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas.
On saturday after the swearing in of former Batangas Gov. Armando Sanchez and 176 local officials as new NP members in Batangas City, Villar confirmed to some reporters that he spoke with Pacquiao during the dinner.
“Kasama natin si Manny. Siya ang kandidato natin sa Sarangani (Manny is with us. He is our candidate in Sarangani),” Villar said.
To the request of the Inquirer for clarification, Villar said he was leaving it to Pacquiao to make the formal announcement “out of respect for him.”
Villar also said he and Pacquiao were “beside each other at the dinner,” and had agreed in principle to support each other.
No decision yet
In Kiamba, Sarangani, Pacquiao Saturday confirmed at a brief press conference that Villar had invited him to join the NP.
But he added: “I have not decided until this time. I have no commitment yet to any political party.”
He also denied reports that he had received campaign funds from the billionaire Villar.
Pacquiao has firmed up his plan to once again throw his hat in the political ring. But he said no one had given him money to fuel his campaign.
“I will be the first to announce to you if ever I have received campaign funds,” he told reporters in the vernacular.
Pacquiao reveled in the grand welcome prepared by Kiamba officials. In a speech, he thanked his supporters for their “love and support” during his latest fight.
“Thank you for believing in me, in praying with me. My victory is your victory,” he said.
100-percent sure
Early Saturday over Vice President Noli de Castro’s radio program “Para Sa Iyo, Bayan,” Pacquiao said he was “100-percent sure” of running for congressman of Sarangani under his own People’s Champ Movement.
Pacquiao told De Castro, who had attended his fight against Cotto, that he was in Sarangani to support the filing of the certificates of candidacy of “my mayors” who will run in the local elections.
He said he would file his own certificate after the party members had all filed theirs: “Unahin ko muna sila. Tapos ako.”
Pacquiao said his party was yet unsure whether it would coalesce with other political parties or back specific candidates at the national level.
He thanked the public for supporting him in all his fights, and asked the people of Sarangani to also back him in his second shot at politics.
Pacquiao ran for Congress representing General Santos City in 2007, and was beaten by the incumbent Darlene Antonino-Custodio.
Long-time friends
Villar said he and Pacquiao had been “friends for a long time now.”
Asked if the champion had set conditions, such as financing or the inclusion of local officials in the NP slate, for their purported impending alliance, Villar said: “Honestly, there is no financial deal.”
Pacquiao’s commitment to the NP is “not formal yet,” Villar said. “He supports me, but we still don’t know … in what form.”
Villar visited Pacquiao in Baguio City when the latter was training for his fight with the then world welterweight champion Cotto.
But the visit angered Pacquiao’s American coach Freddie Roach, who said politicians should not disrupt the boxer’s training.
On the other hand, an NP stalwart, who asked not to be named for lack of authority to speak publicly on the issue, told the Inquirer that the Pacquiao camp had invited Villar to the fight in Las Vegas, purportedly so that the senator could raise the champion’s hand after winning his record-setting seventh belt.
The source said Villar’s political strategists decided that such a PR stunt would not sit well with Filipino voters.
Palace ally
Hours before the Friday dinner at the Manila Hotel, Pacquiao was conferred the Order of Sikatuna, with the rank of datu, by President Macapagal-Arroyo.
It is one of the highest honors given by Malacañang to civilians, usually to statesmen.
The Palace looks to Pacquiao as one of its best backers. He supported Ms Arroyo’s run for the presidency in 2004, and endorsed the administration’s Team Unity senatorial slate in 2007.
His coterie includes Environment Secretary Lito Atienza and Deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson, both ardent Arroyo supporters. With reports from Aquiles Zonio, Inquirer Mindanao, and Cynthia D. Balana in Manila
Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20091122-237672/Villar-wants-Pacquiao-deal-for-2010-polls
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