MANILA, Philippines ? Looks like Malaca?ang is running out of awards to give to newly crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight king Manny Pacquiao.
Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said they are still looking for an appropriate award to give the 8-division champion, who is due to arrive in Manila on Saturday.
She said Pacquiao already received honors from Malaca?ang in 2006 and 2009.
In 2006, he was given the “Order of Lakandula” with the rank of “Champion for Life,” following his successful WBC super featherweight title defense against Mexican Oscar Larios.
In 2009, Pacquiao was conferred the “Order of Sikatuna” with the rank of Datu (Grand Cross with Gold Distinction) after he beat Miguel Cotto for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title.
Commendations from Congress
After Pacquiao?s super welterweight victory over Antonio Margarito over the weekend, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives filed resolutions honoring the Filipino champion.
The House of Representatives leadership pledged it would give Pacquiao the Congressional Medal of Distinction, the highest award they can give to the Filipino professional boxer, who is also a congressman representing the province of Sarangani.
The Senate, meanwhile, approved six resolutions that recognize his achievements in the sport of boxing.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile led 6 senators who filed respective resolutions commending the boxer for his 8th title win.
?The Philippine Senate has acknowledged and paid tribute to Filipino athletes who have demonstrated exceptional excellence in international sporting events thereby bringing honor and glory to the entire Filipino nation and to all fellow Filipinos worldwide,? Enrile stated in his Resolution No. 276.
