2008-07-04 14:29:07 - Malacanang has named Asia's first four world-time boxing champion Manny Pacquiao as Philippine team flag bearer in the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games slated on Aug. 8-24.

By Jelly F. Musico

http://www.balitapinoy.net

Pacquiao appointed RP flag bearer in Beijing Olympics

Malacanang has named Asia's first four world-time boxing champion Manny Pacquiao as Philippine team flag bearer in the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games slated on Aug. 8-24.

Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita made the announcement on Friday during Pacquiao's courtesy call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacanang.

Pacquiao returned home early Friday morning a week after

he wrested the World Boxing Council (WBC) crown from Mexican David Diaz in a fashionable 9th round knock out.

He was accompanied by his wife Jinkee and some friends.

Pacquiao arrived this morning from Los Angeles.

During a press conference, Pacquiao said he would donate P3 million to victims of typhoon Frank and initiate a calamity fund drive. He would also visit the typhoon-ravaged areas, including Romblon.

Before going to Malacanang, the Pacquiao entourage attended a first Friday Mass at Quiapo church, creating heavy traffic as fans tried to get a glimpse of the first Filipino to win the world lightweight diadem.

Pacquiao was a former WBC flyweight title holder, IBF/WBO bantamweight champion and reigning WBC super featherweight king when he knocked out Diaz.

With the retirement of undefeated Floyd Mayweather, The Ring Magazine has crowned Pacquiao as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) spokesman Joey Romansanta welcomed the development, adding the POC executive board will convene immediately to discuss Pacquiao's appointment.

However, wushu president Julian Camacho doubted if the Beijing Olympic organizing committee would allow a non-athlete participant to carry the national flag during the opening rites.

'I don't think so. I don't think it will be allowed by the organizing committee,' said Camacho, who will leave on July 29 to represent the Philippine team chief of mission Monico Puentevella in a meeting in Beijing.

Camacho, however, said the appointment of Pacquiao was 'a great development considering he is now the most popular boxer not only in Asia but throughout the world.'

The POC has already appointed swimmer Miguel Molina as flag bearer of the RP team which will be represented by 15 athletes from seven different sports.

Molina was the best male athlete of the 2007 Thailand Southeast Asian Games where he won three individual gold medals and another in team event.

Aside from Molina, the Olympic-bound local athletes include boxer Harry Tanamor; swimmer Daniel Coakley, James Walsh, Ryan Arabejo and Christel Simms; divers Shiela Mae Perez and Ryan Rexel Fabriga; archer Mark Javier; shooter Eric Ang; taekwndo jins Toni Rivero and Tshomlee Go; Henry Dagmil and Marestella Torres of athletics; and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.
(Balita Pinoy - Philippine News & Analysis)