Pacman talks unity at Atienza's office

Filipino sports icon Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao made a fresh pitch for national unity Thursday during victory rites at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), an event initiated by its secretary, Jose "Lito" Atienza, a staunch administration ally. Radio dzBB reported that Pacquiao, who returned to the Philippines before dawn Thursday, was unable to walk on the red carpet that the DENR unfurled. This was because his arrival sparked a media frenzy as news coverage teams moved closer to the "people's champ." In introducing Pacquiao, Atienza said the Filipino boxer's arrival was "important" and carried a special "meaning." Pacquiao has called Atienza, a former Manila mayor, his "second father." Pacquiao thanked his supporters for their prayers, adding that he was overjoyed that his victory over Mexican foe Marco Antonio Barrera last Sunday (Manila time) united the country. "I am elated that all Filipinos become united whenever I fight in the ring," Pacquiao said in Filipino. He added that, "I hope that this this moment of unity will continue." While he thanked the Lord for giving him strength, Pacquiao said that, "if it were possible, I'd fight in the ring everyday so the Philippines will be united." "I hope God will turn me into an instrument for unity," he added. The DENR chief's son, losing Manila mayoral candidate Arnold "Ali" Atienza, was in attendance. Pacquiao supported Ali's bid for Manila mayor but the younger Atienza was soundly defeated by Alfredo Lim, a former opposition senator, during the May polls. The two Atienzas had been noticeably present in Pacquiao's past motorcades in Manila City. Pacquiao will skip the motorcade that Lim's administration had planned, citing a failure of "coordination." Interviewed earlier in the day, Pacquiao also lamented that Manila residents under Lim's watch failed to watch his fight live and free. In contrast, Atienza would organize free live showings of Pacquiao's bouts. "I thank and love all Manila residents, I thank them for their support. I am saddened that they could not watch my fight live. It hurts me to learn about it but I still love them," Pacquiao said. Pacquiao arrived on board Philippine Airlines flight PR-103 from Los Angeles at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 5:30 a.m. The elder Atienza and defeated administration senatorial bet Luis Singson rode in the same vehicle as Pacquiao during the convoy ride from the NAIA to the New World Rennaisance Hotel in Makati City. - GMANews.TV