BY EVANGELINE DE VERA

SPECIAL assistant to the secretary of justice on intelligence matters.

This is the latest title under the belt of "People’s Champ" Manny Pacquiao, holder of five world boxing titles in different weight categories.

Pacquiao’s designation to the honorary position was contained in a department order signed by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez on May 8, the day he arrived from the United States after his victory on May 2 over British boxer Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas.

"In the interest of public service and pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, M/Sgt Emmanuel Pacquiao is hereby designated as special assistant to the Secretary of Justice on intelligence matters. He may coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation in the enforcement of his mandate. He may perform such other functions as may be assigned to him by the Secretary," said Department Order No. 344.

Gonzalez yesterday said Pacquiao will not receive a single centavo for the job because it was the boxing champ who volunteered his services.

He said Pacquiao would be very useful in information gathering because of his links in Visayas and Mindanao.

Pacquiao is from General Santos City.

"He is a useful unifier of the nation. He has a lot of following in Visayas and Mindanao. He is respected even by the Muslims. He could lend his name and prestige (to the department)."

Gonzalez said Pacquiao is a close family friend and had long offered his help to the department.

"He (Pacquiao) is even friends with my 10-year-old grandson, but I just don’t announce it. We used to eat dinner together. Last Friday, we had dinner together pagkadating niya. Before the Hatton fight, we had dinner in the house," he said.

"He is willing to serve the government in whatever capacity. Kaso hindi siya puwedeng suweldohan. Otherwise, he will become a public official. And then he will be required to submit his SAL (statement of assets and liabilities), marami pang requirements," he added.

He said he initially thought of appointing Pacquiao as honorary director of the DOJ Action Center (DOJAC) in Mindanao.

He also said Pacquiao had asked for an identification card as confidential agent for intelligence, which Gonzalez finally signed last Friday.

"His position is basically just a glorified asset… He’s been asking for it. He deserves it," said Gonzalez.

Pacquiao, in previous television interviews, said he once dreamt of becoming a lawyer. He recently enrolled in a business management course at the Notre Dame University in General Santos City where he grew up.

In Malacañang yesterday, Pacquiao said he is hungry for more victories despite already having five boxing titles.

Pacquiao made the declaration during a one-on-one interview with President Arroyo before the luncheon tendered in his honor.

"Sabi nila, nang nakamit ko na raw ang tagumpay, baka hindi na ako gutom sa pag-e-ensayo at pagpanalo nitong laban na ito na nakaraan. Sabi ko hindi. Lagi akong uhaw sa panalo dahil ang lahat ng mga mga kababayan ko, milyon-milyong Pilipino, alam kong umaasa sa tagumpay ko," he said.

He said his family and the Filipino people, who are always waiting for his victory, serve as his inspiration during his bouts.

Arroyo said Pacquiao has agreed to be the "messenger of peace and understanding" in the Philippines. She did not elaborate on what the designation would entail of the boxing champ.

Pacquiao said when Hatton fell during the first round of their bout, he knew that he could knock him out soon if Hatton did not focus on his left hand. He said Hatton focused on his right hook in the second round after being floored twice on the first.

He said he was not hurt much by Hatton’s punches. He said he pitied Hatton after watching the replay of the fight.

"Naawa ako kasi naano yung mata niya. Nakakaawa din kasi si Hatton. Prente naman, mabait na tao. Ang trainor lang niya maraming sinasabi," he said.

He said he is also thankful for Hollywood stars like Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington who watched his fight and trusted his abilities.

Pacquiao said his mother Dionesia, who accompanied him to the US, did not watch the fight because she could not handle it. He said her mother prayed the rosary in her room while the fight was ongoing.

Pacquiao received military honors from the Presidential Security Group. The PSG band played his song "Para sa Iyo (Ang laban na ito)" when he and members of Team Pacquiao arrived in Malacañang.

They were showered with red, white and blue confetti, which echoed the color of the balloons tied around the trees in the Palace grounds. The balloons were bore the words "Manny Pacquiao, Hiyas ng Bayan."

After a short closed-door meeting with the First Couple, Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr., and some Cabinet members and lawmakers, Pacquiao and his companions went to the Reception Hall, with President Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo wearing the Team Pacquiao jacket over their formal clothes.

Pacquiao was given a copy of Proclamation 1764-A which declared May 11 as a National Day of Celebration because of his victory over Hatton.

Pacquiao and company shared with the President, congressmen and Cabinet members a Filipino lunch of lumpiang ubod, tinola, pancit palabok, fish, stuffed prawns, adobo, kare-kare, pichi-pichi and buco pandan.

He was also presented by the Malacañang chefs a special chocolate custard cake measuring 32x20 inches and weighing 28 kilograms.

Malacañang executive chef Babes Austria said it took them two days to make the cake.

The cake was covered by fondant decoration, blue on the surface and red and white stripes on the sides. Stars and small gloves decorated the sides and the surface.

The upper right hand corner of the cake bore the words "Pound per pound king" while the lower left hand corner contained a Philippine flag and the presidential logo. In the middle of the cake was a championship belt with the words "World championship" and "IBO."

Austria said they all did the cake "for the love of Pacman."

The Malacañang visit followed a victory motorcade that started from the main office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources along Visayas avenue in Quezon City.

Pacquiao was at the DENR compound as early as 8 a.m. He was welcomed by DENR Secretary Lito Atienza who is said to be like a father to him.

"We honor Manny, one of our country’s most important human resources, as he continues to inspire all of us that Filipinos have what it takes to be world champions," Atienza said.

The float carrying Pacquiao was decorated with Philippine flags and posters bearing slogans; "Pilipino ang lahi ko - Manny Pacquiao... Maka-Diyos, maka-tao, makakalikasan, makabansa.