Pacquiao to go home against flu advice

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao will return to Manila as scheduled, ignoring advice from Philippine health officials to observe self-quarantine in the United States to help prevent the spread of swine flu. In interviews with Manila television and radio networks, Pacquiao said Thursday he and others in his entourage, who were in Los Angeles, do not have any flu symptoms that could justify their quarantine. They will fly home as planned on Friday, he said. "If you are healthy, why should you be quarantined?" he told DZBB radio. On Wednesday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III urged Pacquiao -- who beat Ricky Hatton in a light welterweight bout in Las Vegas on Saturday night -- to postpone his homecoming because the virus was found to have spread to California. Duque cited the "strong recommendation" from the World Health Organization for Pacquiao and his entourage to observe self-quarantine for at least five days -- time enough for any infected person to show flu symptoms. The WHO advised Pacquiao and his group to observe self-quarantine for the same length of time after their return on Friday, and airport welcomers should maintain a 1-yard distance from the boxing champ and his party, avoiding handshakes and hugs.