ALABEL, Sarangani, Philippines – One of the advisers of Manny Pacquiao called on officials of Sarangani Province as lacking of political finesse for ignoring the arrival of the world boxing superstar on Saturday.

Minvelez Gulle, one of Pacquiao’s advisers, said Pacquiao’s ring achievements should be treated beyond politics.

Pacquiao has transferred his residence in Sarangani and has a registered as a voter in the province. He has also publicly declared his intention to run for a congressional seat in the province against billionaire opponent Roy Chiongbian, youngest son of the late congressman and shipping magnate James L. Chiongbian.

Pacquiao is the founder of a local political party, the People’s Champ Movement (PCM).

The pound-for-pound king bared that President Gloria Arroyo asked him to support administration presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro. However, he said, he did not commit as it would pose a problem for him and his own political party.

His most probable opponent in the congressional race, Roy Chiongbian, will most likely get the backing of the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

Chiongbian’s elder brother, Erwin, the incumbent congressman of Sarangani who is now in his last and final term, is the local chair of Lakas in the province.

Gulle noted that not a single streamer was mounted by the provincial government and, worse, no one from among the provincial officials showed up to welcome or congratulate Pacquiao.

The General Santos City government tendered a grand hero's welcome for the Pacman, but in Sarangani there was none. Only his fans and supporters led by PCM welcomed him and celebrated his homecoming.

Gulle recalled how South Cotabato 1st District Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio showed a high sense of civility, statesmanship and class when she insisted on giving a hero’s welcome for the Pacman after his victory over Mexican banger Jorge Solis at the height of political campaign in 2007 elections.

Pacquiao was then running for congressman against Custodio. The latter, however, won by a wide margin against the boxing idol in the congressional race.

According to Gulle, the new World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight champ has earned the respect and accolade by almost all sportswriters and boxing analysts in the Western countries.

“He is even adored and worshipped by the diehard boxing fans worldwide due to his unrivalled accomplishments in boxing. He’s the source of pride, a symbol of unity and an inspiration for the Filipinos,” Gulle said.

“Respect is earned, it is not being solicited. And Pacquiao, needless to say, has earned it for himself,” she said.

On Friday, President Macapagal-Arroyo conferred on Pacquiao the Order of Sikatuna, the highest tribute being bestowed on deserving government official under the law.

With his victory over Miguel Cotto, Pacquiao became the first boxer in history to win seven crowns in seven different weight divisions.

Despite his feat, the ring icon insisted on remaining humble, calling himself “just an ordinary boxer who managed to achieve extraordinary accomplishments.”

But Gulle said that the provincial officials of Sarangani virtually mocked Pacquiao’s feats.

“They spat not on Pacquiao but on the unprecedented pride, honor and success achieved and now being enjoyed by the Filipino nation,” she said.

Meanwhile, Governor Miguel Dominguez congratulated boxing champion Manny Pacquiao for his historic seventh win in his seventh weight division and tried to explain why Sarangani, currently dominated by Pacquiao’s expected political rivals in the 2010 elections, did not give any sort of welcome on Saturday.

“Personally, I want to extend my gratitude and congratulation to his latest ring conquest,” Dominguez told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone, on Sunday.

He said traditionally, they do not give grand welcome to Pacquiao because the airport is in General Santos City, Pacquiao’s hometown known for laying out the red carpet for the boxing champion.

Dominguez added that there is also lack of coordination between the two provinces.

He added that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan would soon come up with a resolution “congratulating and thanking Pacquiao for his great achievements.”