In Manila

PHILIPPINE boxing idol Manny Pacquiao rarely puts a foot wrong in the ring.

But his decision to ignore an appeal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) to postpone his return to the Philippines - and that of his entourage - after winning a title fight in Las Vagas was a poor one for this popular figure who plans a career in politics.

The WHO and the health authorities here asked Mr Pacquiao to delay for a week his homecoming and victory parade as a precaution against the spread of the H1N1 virus.

Given his idol status among Filipinos, heeding that call would surely have been a big help in promoting public awareness over the bug.

At the very least, it was hoped Mr Pacquiao would make a point of practicing "social distancing" for a few days after his return to the Philippines.

Mr Pacquiao and his entourage arrived as planned at Manila's international airport last Friday. The boxer greeted his three kids with hugs and kisses and then waded through a media scrum. After a stop-off at a hotel, the group headed for the packed Quiapo Church to hear a thanksgiving service for his May 2 victory against Britain's Ricky Hatton.
Next stop: Manila's largest shopping mall to attend a concert.

"Irresponsible" ran the headline over an editorial sharply criticising Mr Pacquiao's behaviour in Saturday's Philippine Daily Inquirer.

"He could have shown the kind of civic spirit, cooperation and respect for authorities that are most needed in times of emergency. Instead, he chose to demonstrate an appalling incapacity to sacrifice for the common good," said the newspaper.

The argument that the 30-year-old boxer did not want to disappoint his fans by skipping public appearances hardly cuts it during a health scare.

There have been no cases so far of the H1N1 virus in the Philippines. But 12 people entering the country showing flu symptoms have been quarantined since May 1.

Mr Pacquiao has said that staying longer in the United States could have put him and his team more at risk from catching the virus.

Around 50 congressmen - about one if five members of the House of Representatives - flew to Las Vegas to watch the Pacquiao-Hatton bout.

The Philippine health authorities made a point of publicly insisting that the returning lawmakers get no special privileges at the airport, and be subject to the same thermal scanning and health declarations as ordinary folk.

When President Gloria Arroyo returned from an overseas visit last week, she got off the plane holding a yellow health-declaration form.

None of this, of course, diminishes Mr Pacquiao's reputation as one of the world's finest boxers of his generation.
But the boxer is already readying a new career. Last week, his People's Champ Movement was accredited as a political party. And he is widely expected to run for elected office in a local or national post in the mid-2010 elections.

Instead of acting like a people's champ and setting a good example, Mr Pacquiao on this occassion behaved more like this country's powerful elites used to getting their way.