BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
All candidates who may render a courtesy call on Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City are welcome to do so, disclosed Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diazyesterday.
Filipino boxing icon turned presidential aspirant Manny Pacquaio, accompanied by former Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella, will pay a courtesy call on Lacson at 11:30 a.m. on April 1.
Prior to the courtesy call, Pacquiao, who is arriving at the Magikland helipad in Silay City at 10 a.m. today, will also meet with Silay City Mayor Mark Andrew Golez and Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares before proceeding to their respective public markets for hand shaking activities.
“We will welcome whoever they are.That is not a problem,” Diaz said.
After a courtesy call meeting with Gov. Lacson, Pacquiao will proceed for lunch at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, where he joins the governor and other guests.
It will be followed by a press conference, as well asa fellowship and praise and worship with His Life Ministrypastors of Negros Occidental. He will later proceed for more hand shaking activities at the Libertad Public and Central Markets in Bacolod City.
In previous months, presidential candidates Leni Robredo and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, paid also courtesy calls on Lacson at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.
BACOLOD’S ‘ADOPTED SON’
The people of Bacolod welcome boxing icon and Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao and wife, Jinkee, to the City of Smiles, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia said in a statement he issued yesterday.
As with other dignitaries and ranking government functionaries, and even presidential candidates visiting our beloved city, it isindeed, an honor to have the “Pambansang Kamao” in our midst, especially so that he is an “adopted son of Bacolod”, the mayor said.
“We wish him all the best in his new political journey with high hopes that he will have a pleasant time during his visit to our city and other areas of Negros Occidental,” Leonardia said.
May the Almighty bless and keep Senator Manny and family safe always, he added.*