POC chair bats for Pacquiao monument

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MANILA---Manny Pacquiao should have a statue put up in the country to symbolize the excellence of the Filipino.

Philippine Olympic Committee chair Monico Puentevella made this suggestion yesterday and said the statue could be built within Rizal Park in Manila or at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Folk Arts Theatre grounds.

Puentevella told the PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue that the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex could also be a possible site of the statue, as well as the Ayala Park in Makati and the Araneta Center in Quezon City.

“He’s the symbol of excellence to every Filipino,” said the POC official, who also broached the possibility of Pacquiao carrying the country’s flag in next year’s London Olympics.

“In my capacity as POC chair, and as friend to Pacquiao, I recommend that we build a statue like the one they build for (Oscar) De La Hoya, (Michael) Jordan, Joe Loius and Rocky Balboa,” Puentevella said.

The former congressman also said at the forum sponsored by Smart, Pagcor, Outlast Battery and Shakey’s that the government should have the first option in putting up the statue.