MANILA - Nacionalista Party (NP) standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar on Saturday claimed newly-crowned World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is running for congressman of Sarangani province under his party.

Villar made the revelation during a meeting with NP local leaders in Batangas, where he endorsed the gubernatorial run of Armand Sanchez, who lost to then Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos in 2007.

"Siya po ang kandidato natin sa Sarangani (He is our candidate in Sarangani)," Villar announced.

He said he had dinner with Pacquiao and his wife, Jinkee, on Friday night, but did not say if the alliance was forged during the meeting.

Earlier reports said Wowowee host Willie Revillame, an ally of Villar, was courting Pacquiao to run under NP for his congressional bid in the 2010 elections. Revillame denied the speculations.

Pacquiao was given another hero's welcome in General Santos City on Saturday. He went around the city accompanied by his wife and local political leaders, including his former political opponent, South Cotabato 1st District Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

Pacquiao earlier announced that he would run for Congress in Sarangani province in the May 2010 polls. He said he will be witnessing the filing of the certificates of candidacy of "my mayors" in the province.

Pacquiao said he will file his own COC very soon.

He added that he will run under his own local political party, the People's Champ Movement, and he was not yet sure if his party would coalesce with a national party.

Pacquiao would be facing Roy Chiongbian, a top executive of Eastern Shipping Lines, who has been chosen by the political family as their official candidate in the May 2010 polls.

The businessman is the youngest brother of incumbent Sarangani Rep. Erwin Chiongbian. Their mother, Priscilla Chiongbian, is the provincial governor.

The Chiongbian family earlier said that they do not think Pacquiao's popularity in boxing would be enough to bring him to victory in 2010. Pacquiao lost to Antonino-Custodio in the 2007 mid-term polls.

Erap also endorsing Pacquiao

In a visit to General Santos (GenSan) City last June, former President Joseph Estrada raised Pacquiao's hand and endorsed him to run as congressman.

Estrada is running for president under his party, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

“Hindi lang ako, buong bayan [ini-]endorse si Manny (Not only me, but also the whole country is endorsing Manny),” Estrada had said before raising Pacquiao's hand.

Pacquiao told reporters then that he was very delighted with Estrada's endorsement. He also thanked the former president for accepting his invitation.

He had said it was an honor to be visited by the opposition leader.
 
Last week, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita revealed that they are also trying to convince Pacquiao to run for senator under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD banner.