By Rey Danseco
World Boxing Council (WBC) International super featherweight champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is set to arrive earlier than expected, from the United States.
Fresh from sending former three-time world boxing champ Marco Antonio Barrera into retirement, the 28-year old national treasure is scheduled to arrive at 4 am at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport here in Manila, Philippines.
The city government of Manila as well as the former Mayor set a separate heartwarming welcome party.
But yesterday afternoon, Mayor Alfredo Lim cancelled the hero’s welcome as well as the motorcade that he planned for the “adopted son” of Manila.
Former Manila Mayor and newly assigned secretary of Department of Environment and Natural Resources Lito Atienza will fetch the Team Pacquiao at NAIA as early in the expected arrival of the popular boxer around 4 am.
After a few hours rest in a designated hotel, Pacquiao will pay a courtesy call on Atienza around 8:30 am at the main office of the DENR along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City.
Thousands of employees, supporters, fans and friends are expected to congratulate and rain Pacquiao with colorful confetti at the DENR main office where Atienza organized a news conference at the Social Hall in second floor of the building.
Atienza will bring Pacquiao to the Malacanang Palace for separate courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo around 10am.
Lim, who beat Atienza’s son Ali in last elections, cancelled the victory parade for Pacquiao after he was informed by Eric Pineda, one of Pacquiao’s confidant, that the WBC international super featherweight champ cannot attend to the program being prepared for him in Manila.
City administrator Jesus Mari Marzan has the proposed route for Pacquiao's motorcade around the major thoroughfares of the City, which officials had been planning for the event since Monday after Pacquiao's victory over Barrera with unanimous decision over 12 rounds in their fight for WBC International super featherweight title at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
The City’s streamers for the motorcade will go to waste, according to Marzan.
The cities of General Santos city and Cebu have also planned a motorcared and hero’s welcome for Pacquiao.
PACQUIAO’S MOTHER RUSHES TO HOSPITAL
Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s mother, Dionisia, was on recovery at the St. Elizabeth Hospital since Tuesday night after she lost consciousness at the Pacquiao residence in General Santos City.
The elder Pacquiao was declared out of danger after doctors treated her for a stress-related illness.
Last Monday, Dionisia asked her son for a vacation at the popular beach resort in Boracay or to the cold Baguio City. Pacquiao said he might even bring his mother to the United States.
