Philippine Sports News and Updates

President Arroyo will designate Pacquiao the country’s new Ambassador of Peace when she receives him in Malacañang this morning, in appreciation of the honor and inspiration he has brought anew to the Filipino people.

Pacquiao will be fetched by Secretary Lito Atienza of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at the Centennial Terminal of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) when he arrives at 4:30 a.m. on Philippine Airlines flight PR 103.

Pacquiao will hear a Thanksgiving Mass at the Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church) at 8 a.m., before going to Malacañang at 9:30 a.m. for a courtesy call on President Arroyo.

He will then join his DENR family in Quezon City, where he will hold a press conference.

The victory parade will start at the DENR grounds on Visayas Ave., Quezon City, and take the following route: right to Elliptical Road, right to Quezon Ave., left to Araneta Ave., right to Ramon Magsaysay Blvd., right to Lacson (Forbes), right to G. Tuazon, left to Blumentritt, left to Dapitan, right to Lacson, left to Tayuman, left to Pritil (Nicolas Zamora), right to Moriones, left to R-10, left to Zaragosa, right to Del Pan, left to Kalaw, right to Taft, right to President Quirino, left to Harrison, right then U-turn to Buendia, right to Ayala Ave., left to Makati Ave., to the PagIBIG central office at the Atrium Bldg.

Malacañang said Pacquiao is a champion both in and outside the ring. "He has served as a diplomat and an advocate of the Philippines, winning international acclaim and admiration for our country. It is only fitting that this important role and honor as Ambassador of Peace be given to him."

Last July, the President named Pacquiao as the country’s special envoy to the Beijing Olympics, where he carried the national flag at the head of the Philippine delegation as it entered the stadium.

In 2006, the President bestowed the Order of Lakandula, Rank of Champion for Life, to Pacquiao after his victory in a 12round fight against Mexican boxer Oscar Larios.

Pacquiao was the first recipient of the order, which recognizes and honor champions of sports, beauty, and similar fields of competitions and achievements that foster extraordinary national pride and inspiration towards excellence.

Meanwhile, Secretary Atienza said he was discouraging Pacquiao from entering politics amid reports he is being urged to run for a congressional seat in Quezon City.

He said Pacquiao, considered the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter, should focus on his boxing career so he can continue to bring glory and honor to the country.

"It’s too early to think of the 2010 polls so my advice is for him to continue concentrating on his boxing career instead and bring more honor to our country," said Atienza who returned to Manila immediately after seeing Pacquiao’s fight in Las Vegas.

"Manny has a good heart and will undoubtedly make a good public servant, but Manny has not made any announcements as of this time and Palace has not made any official endorsement," he added.

The DENR, under Atienza, has named Pacquiao "Champion for the Environment.

After his two previous victories, Pacquiao donated R100,000 each for the preservation of the Philippine Eagle and Tarsier. Pacquiao also founded Task Force Ligtas Kinaiyahan (Visayan word for nature) in General Santos City, his hometown, which is an organization that helps in protecting the environment and the country’s natural wealth.

According to Pacquia’ longtime friend and prominent youth leader Ali Atienza, the motorcade was planned to pass through as many streets and thoroughfares as possible to give Manny a chance to share his latest triumph with more people.

The young Atienza was a gold medalist in the 1994 Asian Taekwondo Championships, the first and only Filipino to beat a Korean in their native sport. He was chairman of the Manila Sports Council (MASCO) and Presidential Adviser on Youth and Sports. The friendship of Manny and the Atienzas go way back, when Pacquiao was still training as a young boxer in Manila.