Manny Pacquiao’s sensational knockout victory over David Diaz has given him one more high-profile activity – that of flag bearer for the Philippine team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

President Gloria Arroyo made the recommendation during Pacquiao’s courtesy call at Malacanang yesterday, an announcement that most likely caught Pacquiao by surprise as well as officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

If Pacquiao indeed gets the chance to serve as flag bearer, that probably would mark the first time in the modern history of the Olympics that a non-participant has been made to carry a country’s flag.

Another question that begs an answer is whether the International Olympic Committee would allow a non-participant to do the job.

In light of Mrs. Arroyo’s announcement, the POC called on its entire board to a meeting on July 9 to discuss the President’s surprising recommendation.

Reports said POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. is solidly behind the President Arroyo’s suggestion that Pacquiao be tapped to carry the flag even though the POC had already decided that swimmer Miguel Molina, the 2007 Southeast Asian Games Best Male Athlete, has been assigned the role.

POC spokesperson Joey Romasanta said an initial review of the Olympic charter by Moying Martelino, who is lending a hand in the POC’s preparation for the Olympics, reveal that there’s no stipulation that prevents a non-Olympic participant being named the flag-bearer.

Last May, another fighter, the now-retired Roberto Duran of Panama, nicknamed “Hands of Stone”, was named by the Olympic committee of his country as sports ambassador to the Beijing Games.

Duran will play a pivotal role in Panama’s delegation but the country’s flag-bearer would still be Irvin Saladino, the world record-holder in long jump.

Two days ago, a high-ranking sports official was told about the President’s desire to have Pacquiao carry the flag in the Olympics.