The return of Manny Pacquiao

Like a victorious general returning to ancient Rome, boxing champ Manny Pacquiao arrived to a hero’s welcome on Monday and shared his latest triumph with his cheering fans.

The ring superstar, along with his wife Jinkee and his entourage, arrived on board Philippine Airlines flight 103 from Los Angeles at around 5:45 am, eight days since retaining his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown via a 12-round domination of tough Ghanaian challenger Joshua Clottey in Texas.

“Masayang-masaya ako at nakabalik na ako sa Pilipinas at makakapiling uli ang mga anak ko. Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng sumuporta at nagdasal para sa akin sa last fight ko,” the champ said.

Pacquiao children Jemuel and Princess led the welcome party and well-wishers for the 31-year-old fighter and his wife Jinkee at the NAIA Terminal 2, greeting their parents with a warm hug and kiss. Also present were his political ally Sen. Manny Villar and Deputy National Security Adviser Chavit Singson.

Unlike his arrival from his last two gigs in the US, this one’s practically free from controversies and issues that need addressing upon setting foot on local soil.

Remember his return from the Cotto fight last November, when a reported spat with wife Jinkee spread like wildfire? Mr. and Mrs. Pacquiao eventually arrived hand in hand, sharing a kiss at least twice at the airport to dispel rumors.

Earlier, last May, the AH1N1 (swine flu) scare nearly spoiled Pacquiao’s post-Ricky Hatton party, with the Department of Health advising the fighter to defer his return and undergo self-quarantine in the US first. The pound-for-pound king returned as scheduled, knocked out all worries about the deadly virus and went about his usual post-fight parade.

With no marital or health issue hounding him this time, Pacquiao had all the time to focus on his boxing.

Asked about Clottey, whom he failed to knock out, Pacquiao said: “Matibay din kaya nakatapos ng 12 rounds.”

As to the much in-demand megabout with Floyd Mayweather, Jr., the Pacman said bring “Money May” on. “Open ako na lumaban sa kanya. Anytime, pwede ako, basta magkasundo [on fight terms].”

There’s also the possibility that Pacquiao-Mayweather would no longer see the light of day as his mother, Dionesia, has been begging him to hang up his gloves.

“Pwedeng hindi na umabot doon sa Mayweather fight, pwedeng mag-announce na ako ng retirement, pag-uusapan pa namin ng pamilya,” he said.

With the elections looming, Sarangani congressional bet Pacquiao couldn’t help but talk about politics, declaring his readiness to go on the campaign trail beginning March 26.

“Handa na ako, bago pa man ako lumaban kay Clottey, nakahanda na ako sa kampanya. Anyway, March 26 pa naman ang start ng campaign [for local candidates], may ilang araw pa ako para makapiling ang mga anak ko bago mangampanya,” he said.

He also took the time out to bat for the partylist group, Partido ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA), which he said aims to help Filipino athletes who have the potential to bring honor to the country as well, especially with his possible retirement in the horizon.

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