'2 Mannys' soon to hit campaign trail

by HANNAH L. TORREGOZA (Manila Bulletin)

http://mb.com.ph/articles/246188/2-mannys-soon-hit-campaign-trail

TANDAG CITY—In the next Nacionalista Party (NP) campaign, the public will be shouting for two “Mannys.”

Sen. Manuel Villar, Jr., standard bearer of the NP, said he is happy to learn that pound-for-pound boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has finally been allowed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to run in the May 10 elections.

The Comelec Second Division has ruled that Pacquaio, who is seeking the lone congressional seat in Sarangani province, can seek an elective position despite his lack of a high educational attainment.

“Natutuwa ako na ang aking kaibigan na si Manny Pacquiao ay pinayagan nang kumandidato (I am happy that my friend Manny Pacquiao was allowed to run),” Villar told reporters at a sortie in Surigao del Sur Polytechnic State College.

“Alam naman natin na kahit papaano ay napakaraming naitulong niyan sa ating bansa. At tunay naman na maipagmamalaki hindi lamang sa Sarangani kung hindi ng buong bansa ang kagaya niya (We know that he has done a lot to help the country. And he is truly somebody we could be proud of not only in Sarangani but to the whole nation as well),” he added.

Villar said he is looking forward to hitting the campaign trail with Pacquiao after his bout with Joshua Clottey of Ghana.

At a Cebu rally, Pacquiao via televised message, said he regret not being at Villar’s side to campaign for his friend.

But the boxing champion vowed to join the NP campaign immediately after his fight with Clottey