MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 2) Filipino boxing champion and Congressman Manny Pacquiao arrived Saturday morning at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport following his successful defense of his WBO welterweight crown against Shane Mosley last week.
Pacquiao arrived together with wife Jinkee and members of Team Pacquiao at 6:35 a.m. via Philippine Airlines flight PR 103.
Pacquiao, in a press conference at the NAIA, denied rumors spreading on the Internet about his supposed steroid use. He said he would consult his lawyer about legal steps he coud take against those behind the rumor.
The rumor started from an Internet report quoting an alleged Filipino sparring partner who claimed to have injected Pacquiao with steroids before his fight against Oscar de la Hoya.
It was reportedly picked up by Shane Mosley, who spread the news through his Twitter account.
However, Pacquiao had only kind words for Mosley.
“Si Mosley may pinag-aralan at mabait na tao. Bilib ako kay Mosley [Mosley is educated and good. I admire Mosley],” he said.
Pacquiao also said that hotel heiress Paris Hilton would visit Manila in three months.
Jinkee Pacquiao revealed that she and Hilton were “text mates,” which means Mrs. Pacquiao and Hilton exchange text messages often.
Mrs. Pacquiao also said that Mommy Dionisia, Pacquiao’s mother, would get her birthday wish – a Hermes bag.
Among those who met Pacquiao at the airport included his children Michael, Jimuel, Princess and Queenie.
Outside the NAIA Terminal 2 were some of his fans hoping to get a glimpse of their idol.