A WEEK after beating Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico, World Boxing Council super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao is set to return today from the United States, with five Metro Manila cities joining hands to welcome him with a ticker tape parade tomorrow.

Eric Pineda of Team Pacquiao yesterday said the parade, set to start Tuesday morning, will cover major routes in Manila, Pasig, Makati, Pasay and Quezon City.

"Our champion wants to cover as much part of Metro Manila," Pineda said. "He could not wait to see his fans after his big triumph over Marquez last week.

"It’s where Manny’s heart is, with his fans, and he could not wait to mingle with them. He worked hard for his victory, for his fans and the country."

Pacquiao will also pay a courtesy call on President Arroyo at Malacanang. Pacquiao received a call from Mrs. Arroyo minutes after scoring a split decision win over Marquez at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Before being taken on a motorcade, Pacquiao is set to attend a mass early on Tuesday.

He is expected to be welcomed by his supporters, including Vice President Noli de Castro, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza, and boxing friends.

A media conference is scheduled on his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Meanwhile, World Boxing Association super featherweight champion Edwin Valero said Pacquiao had been picking fights against older men and stressed he has what it takes to beat the flamboyant southpaw from Gen. Santos City.

According to boxingtalk.com’s Michael Gonzales, the 26-year-old Venezuelan, who has won all 23 of his fights via knockouts, said he "could tell what Pacquiao was going to do before he did it, and that it’s been that way for his last three fights."

Gonzales said Valero "feels Pacquiao is helpless when he is being attacked and that although he is explosive, he would knock him out."

Now based in Las Vegas and being trained by Kenny Adams, Valero has not fought in the United States since 2003.

Valero fractured his skull in a motorcycle accident in 2001 and had surgery to remove a blood clot. In 2004, he was scheduled to fight but an MRI in New York apparently revealed brain scan irregularities and he was not allowed to fight.

Team Pacquiao recently said it has yet to set the next fight for the 29-year-old Filipino prizefighter. Among those being considered are WBC lightweight champion David Diaz and Nate Campbell, holder of the IBF, WBA and WBO lightweight crowns.