INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?Aiming for a knockout punch against his rivals this early in the 2010 presidential race, Sen. Manuel "Manny" Villar Jr. has invited world boxing champ Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao to join his corner by running under the Nationalista Party.

"He is my candidate in Sarangani," Villar, the NP standard-bearer, disclosed in an interview Saturday after swearing in former Batangas Gov. Armando Sanchez and 176 local officials as new members of NP in Batangas City.

Pacquaio has been candid about his intention to run again for Congress next year, this time in Sarangani province.

He lost to Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio during the congressional race in General Santos City in 2007.

Villar met with Pacquiao at the Manila Hotel Friday, where Solar Sports Entertainment top honchos hosted a dinner to celebrate the world's pound-for-pound king's Nov. 17 victory over Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto to win the World Boxing Organization welterweight title?Pacquiao's seventh world crown in as many divisions.

Villar confirmed to some reporters that he talked with Pacquiao during the dinner.

The senator even complimented Pacquiao for his conspicuous fondness for his spouse Jinkee.

"He is so kind to Jinkee," noted Villar, adding, quickly: "Kasama natin si Manny. Sya ang kandidato natin sa Sarangani (Manny is with us. He is our candidate in Sarangani)."

Sought for clarification, Villar told this reporter that he was leaving it up to the people's champ to make the formal announcement.

"Out of respect for him, I want him to make the announcement," said Villar, although pointing out that they had agreed in principle to support each other.

"We were beside each other at the dinner," Villar said, when asked if Pacquiao had made a categorical commitment to join NP.

The senator even mentioned that he was seen with the champ during his training sessions in Baguio City before he flew to Las Vegas for the fight with Cotto.

An NP stalwart, who was not authorized to speak on the issue, told the Inquirer that the Pacquiao camp had even invited Villar to the Vegas fight, so that the senator could raise the champ's hand after winning his record-setting seventh belt.

It could have been brownie points for Villar, but his political strategists took into consideration apprehension that such a public relations stunt would not sit well with Filipino voters, who disdain the annual politicians' exodus to Las Vegas to watch Pacquiao's fights.

Although a self-confessed Pacquiao fan, Villar, a self-made billionaire, decided to stay home.

Asked if Pacquiao would still change his mind, Villar said: "I don't think he will withdraw (from his commitment to NP), but it's not formal yet. He supports me, but we still don't know ... in what form."

Villar was purportedly referring to Pacquiao's visible ties with the ruling party.

Asked if Pacquiao had set conditions for the alliance, Villar said: "Honestly, there is no deal. We have been friends for a long time now."

At the swearing in, Villar said that the NP was tightening its influence in Luzon as 176 grassroots leaders of Batangas formally joined the NP in a ceremony in Sto. Tomas.

Besides Sanchez, the oath takers were 18 incumbent and aspiring mayors, 18 sitting and aspiring vice mayors and 140 incumbent and aspiring councilors, who are mostly from the old Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) party.

?We welcome our fearless Batangueños to the Nacionalista Party, which is undeniably now the most stable, organized, and committed to the advocacy of fighting poverty suffered by most of our people,? Villar said.

A statement issued by NP said that "the mayors underscored that they represented the genuine grassroots support of Batangueños, backing the leadership of Villar based on his sterling track record and achievements unmatched by other presidentiables."

The defections in Batangas came a day after the oppositionist Kilusang Bagong Lipunan led by Ilocos Norte (2nd district) Rep. Ferdinand ?Bongbong? Marcos Jr. coalesced with NP, strengthening the NP political base in Northern Luzon.

Marcos, along with Laguna Rep. Justin ?Timmy? Chipeco, former Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla and lawyer Adel Tamano, both listed as NP senatorial candidates, accompanied Villar to Sto. Tomas.

Sanchez was a two-term mayor of Sto. Tomas and served for one term as Batangas governor.

An engineer by profession, he is married to Sto. Tomas Mayor Edna Sanchez, with whom he has three children.

Sanchez survived an assassination attempt on June 1, 2006.

No confirmation from Pacquiao yet

Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao said Saturday he has not said yes to the offer of Sen. Manny Villar for him to join the Nacionalista Party.

In fact, Pacquiao said, he has not joined any major political party yet.

The boxing pound-for-pound king confirmed that Villar has invited him to join NP but he has yet to decide whther to accept the invitation or not.

Villar went to Baguio during Pacquiao?s training for his fight with Cotto and talked with the pugilist there. Villar?s visit enraged coach Freddie Roach, who had called on politicians not to interrupt Pacquiao?s training.

?It?s not true. I have not decided until this time. I have no commitment yet to any political party,? Pacquiao told reporters during a brief press conference here on Saturday.

The Filipino ring icon also denied reports that he has received campaign funds from Villar.

Pacquiao firmed up his plan to run in the province?s congressional elections but said nobody has given him money to fuel his campaign.

?I will be the first one to announce to you if ever I receive campaign funds,? Pacquiao said in the vernacular.

In his speech here during the grand welcome prepared by local officials, Pacquiao thanked his supporters for ?your love and support? during his latest fight.

?Thank you for believing in me, for praying with me. My victory is your victory,? Pacquiao said.