INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines ? Saranggani Representative and world boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will turn on the charm offensive for the angry Chinese officials when he visits Hong Kong after his fight in November against Mexican Antonio Margarito.
Pacquiao said he was hoping that his trip would help appease the Chinese government, which has criticized the Philippines for its bungled handling of the hostage-taking incident last August 23 that resulted in the death of eight Hong Kong tourists.

?We will calm them down,? he said. ?We will try to find a way to bring back their trust on us, we don?t need to fight.?

The boxing champion-turned-politician said the Hong Kong visit was his own initiative, adding that he will find a way to make representation with the Chinese government as a lawmaker.

He said he would make the visit whether or not he would win the bout with Margarito. The match is scheduled on November 13 at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Pacquiao said he also hoped to see his colleague, Ilocos Sur Representative Ronald Singson, who is out on bail in Hong Kong for a drug trafficking case.

Pacquiao said he would begin his training next week by jogging in the hilly portion of Montalban in Rizal. He will continue training in the US and will miss some session days.