The Philippines rejoiced on Sunday after superstar Manny Pacquiao’s victory over Jorga Solis, and even political rivals promised him a “hero’s welcome” upon his return. The Texas fight was televised live on giant screens in various parts of the country, including the southern city of General Santos where Pacquiao is using his fame to run for a congressional seat.
President Gloria Arroyo congratulated the hugely popular boxer on his victory over previously unbeaten Solis, saying “the fighting faith of Manny Pacquiao is the fighting faith of the Filipino.”
She said his victories in world competition should be matched by the country’s victory over “poverty and injustice.”
Arroyo’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, who is still recovering from major heart surgery on Tuesday, was not allowed to watch the fight. His doctors said they would inform him of the result later.
In General Santos City, congresswoman Darlene Antonino Custodio, her family and party members were on hand to watch the fight at the city gymnasium with 5 000 people, even though Pacquiao is running against her in the May 14 elections.
Asked what effect his victory in the ring would have on the polls, Custodio said, “It’s up to the people but (the political leaders in the city) will still give him a hero’s welcome.”
Custodio could be seen cheering with the rest of the crowd when Pacquiao, known here as the Pacman, weathered a head butt in the sixth round to win a knockout in the eighth round.
Her political party had previously filed a court petition for the fight not to be televised in General Santos, saying this would constitute unfair political advertising, but they withdrew their petition in the face of widespread public anger.
Television footage of the fight showed Filipinos at the Texas stadium, cheering a triumphant Pacquiao with the chant “congressman.”
In Manila, about 3000 spectators in a public stadium cheered and punched their fists in the air as they watched the fight on a giant screen.
In a post-fight interview on tevision, Pacquiao refused to capitalise on his latest victory, saying “I am uniting our Filipinos in this hour. I do not want to talk about politics. But I showed that I can manage these two different things.”
