Sen. Santiago wants Pacquiao, ‘Aling Dionisia’ in her wedding rites

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Miriam Defensor- Santiago now wants world boxing champion and Saranggani Representative Manny Pacquiao and his mother popularly known as “Aling Dionisia” to witness her renewal of wedding vows.

The senator and her husband, Narciso Santiago Jr., are renewing their marriage vows at the Manila Cathedral on June 19.

Santiago, who criticized Pacquiao for joining the anti-Reproductive Health bill drive, made the decision after she was asked about it over a radio interview on Wednesday.

“Pugilistic excellence is not one of my ambitions. I have no desire to spar with Pacman. I feel affection for him and Aling Dionisia, because we are all Visayans,” she said in a separate statement to Senate media.

She said she did not mean to offend anyone when she commented on Pacquiao’s stance against the RH bill.

Santiago, who authored the bill in the Senate, had advised Pacquiao to focus on boxing rather than get involved on the RH bill debates. Aling Dionisia immediately came to the defense of her son.

“I didn’t mean to offend. It was just an affectionate appeal in the Ilonggo dialect,” said the senator.

Santiago also invited Pacquiao’s wife, Jinky, in her wedding.

But the senator stood firm against inviting her long-time political foe, former President Fidel Ramos, saying: “There is no law that compels me to invite people I actively dislike.”