Nacionalista Party (NP) presidential bet Senator Manuel Villar Jr. on Friday vowed not to steal the limelight away from boxing champion Manny Pacquiao when the latter arrives in the country.

Villar said he is content to be inconspicuous and let Pacquiao celebrate his victory over Ghanian boxer Joshua Clottey together with other Filipinos.

According to Villar, Pacquiao left Los Angeles on Thursday and is expected to arrive in Manila early Saturday morning.

“Ang unang araw, sa kanya lang yan. Sa kanya lang ang honor na ‘yan. (the first day would be his. It’s for his honor). He deserves it. Ibibigay natin sa kanya iyan bilang bayani ng Pilipinas (let us give it to him for being a hero of the Philippines),” said Villar.

But on other days, Villar said his party slate will conduct its own hero’s welcome for Pacquiao as they have earlier planned.

“Baka doon kami sa separate na araw. Ibang araw na kami magbibigay ng parangal. Iyong unang araw, syempre iyan ang pormal na parangal sa ating bayani. Iyan ay iiwan natin sa taong-bayan at baka ang ating grupo o ako mismo ay doon na lamang sa pangalawa hanggang pangatlo,” Villar said. (“We might settle for a separate day. We will give a hero’s welcome on other day. The first day would be the nation’s formal recognition for our hero. We will leave that to the people and our group would just settle for the second or third day.”)

And despite his rival’s taunt that he would be banking on Pacquiao’s popularity, Villar merely shrugged off the accusations.

He said being a close friend, Pacquiao has vowed to support him and even promised to accompany him during his campaign sorties.

“Iyon naman ang kanyang sinabi noong siya ay tumawag sa akin. Sabi niya pag-uwi niya ay sasamahan niya ako sa aking pag-iikot at tutulungan niya akong mag-kampanya,” said Villar. (“That was what he told me when he called me up. He said when he comes home he will go along with me when I do my rounds and help me in my campaign.”)

Pacquiao is aspiring for a congressional seat in the lone district of Saranggani under the Nacionalista Party.