Barely two months after he appealed to rebels to lay down their arms, boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has been appointed as presidential envoy for peace and understanding to work for national unity.

President Arroyo signed his appointment paper on July 2 to broker peace pacts especially between warring political kingpins, and between the government and rebel groups.

In a press conference, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced Pacquiao’s appointment
wherein he is tasked to forge peace pacts among political warlords, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), to prevent bloodshed; and to conduct interfaith dialogues and other Christian-Muslim events, especially in conflict areas.

“We feel that Manny Pacquiao will be a significant personality in our peace process,” he said in a briefing, as he expressed confidence in the boxing icon’s capabilities to pursue peace initiatives.

Under his appointment, he is expected to launch livelihood projects for rebel returnees; peace and harmony forums and activities in schools; development programs and charity work in conflict areas; and cultural events espousing peace, development, law and order and democracy.

Ermita said Pacquiao is also mandated to organize sports events among selected troopers of the AFP, PNP , Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). But he was quick to add: “Huwag lang boxing dahil baka lalo magkagulo.”

Among his other duties and responsibilities are to launch the following activities: cultural events espousing peace, development, law and order and democracy; civic events upholding human rights and opposing violence, including violence against women by men trying to be “macho”; ecumenical prayers for peace and harmony; and national unity and peace website with Pacman blog and message for peace.

Aside from Pacquiao, President Arroyo has also named Thoman M. Lagaran and Anna Esperanza R. Solomon as Assistant Solictor Generals to assist Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera, also current Justice Secretary.

Concepcion H. Luis, meanwhile, was designated as full-time commissioner, representing the Ilocano Language in the Commission on the Filipino Language; and Fe Hidalgo, who served as officer-in-charge of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Education Undersecretary for Programs and Projects, was named as part-time commissioner of the same Commission, representing the Languages of the Northern Cultural Comunities.

The President also appointed Kristina Manalang, former head of the Complaints and Investigation Unit of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission, as the commission’s executive director. She also named Phillip L. Dela Cruz as Assistant Regional State Prosecutor.

Included in the list of newly appointed labor arbiters of the Department of Labor and Employment’s National Labor Relations Commission are Maria Ada A. Veloso, Ma. Theresa S. Salas, Jose Antonio C. Ferrer, Marcial Galahad T. Makasiar, Elenita F. Cruz, Roderick Q. Almeyda, Vitto A. Kintanar, Vicente B. Manzano, Luvina P. Roque, Josette E. Navarra, taro R. Sarip and Agnes A. Monfort.