Sen. Benigno Aquino II with Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinkee, May 18, 2010
Sen. Mar Roxas with Pacquiao and wife
Sen. Aquino and Jake Joson, member of Pacquiao's staff
MANILA, Philippines (1st UPDATE) – Sarangani province Congressman-elect and 7-division world champion Manny Pacquiao met with incoming President Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party on Tuesday.
The Filipino boxing icon paid a visit to the Aquino family residence along Times Street in West Triangle, Quezon City.
The meeting lasted 30 to 40 minutes
This was confirmed by his Atty. Edwin Lacierda, Aquino's campaign spokesperson. He said the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion was accompanied by his wife, Jinkee.
“He paid a courtesy call to the President-apparent,” said Lacierda.
The meeting was cordial as Pacquiao shared with Aquino his plans for Sarangani as the province's lone representative. They never talked about the election campaign where they were in opposing camps.
Aquino’s running mate Sen. Mar Roxas later joined the meeting.
“Nag-usap kami mga 45 minutes… okay naman,” Pacquiao told ABS-CBN's Dyan Castillejo in a telephone interview. “Kuwentuhan lang paano tutulungan ang bayan.”
On Tuesday, Pacquiao told reporters in Manila that he had several projects in mind for his province and the country.
He also said he wants to help the Philippines win its first Olympic gold medal. He also wants to provide livelihood programs to fishermen and farmers in Sarangani Province.
Pacquiao had supported one of Aquino’s rivals, Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar, Jr, in the May 10 presidential elections.
During the campaign, a television advertisement for Villar even featured Pacquiao alluding to Aquino's lackluster record as 3-term congressman and senator.
This caused some friction in his friendship with Noynoy’s sister, actress and television host Kris Aquino.
But Kris announced Tuesday night that she had made up with the pound-for-pound king.
