MANILA — Senators lauded boxer Manny Pacquiao for his latest victory on Sunday, calling him a hero, champion and king.
They also cheered on Pacquiao for as always uniting the country for a day.
“It?s a great day to be a Pinoy [Filipino],” Senator Manuel Villar Jr., said, adding that Pacquaio?s victory showed the world “how a Filipino can triumph over overwhelming odds.”
“I share the people?s joy over Manny Pacquaio?s second round knockout of Hatton,” said Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., as he hailed the boxer as a “great talent.”
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed hope the country would continue to unite “as we always do every time Manny fights.”
“I wish these rare moments of unity would spread out throughout the years to come because we need that kind of national unity to be able to promote peace and development in our country,” Zubiri said.
Saying that Pacquaio was not only the “People?s Champ” but the “World Champ” as well, Senator Manuel Roxas II also called on for people “to set aside even for a moment political bickering and unite behind our national pride.”
This was echoed by Senator Francis Escudero who said Pacquaio gave Filipinos “a reason to set aside our differences and come together as one people and one nation.”
Senator Loren Legarda said Pacquaio deserved to be called a “hero,” just like the country?s overseas Filipino workers as she cheered on the latter for being able to show Filipinos “how to win.”
Pacquaio?s latest win has elevated him to be “the pound for pound king of his generation,” according to Senator Pia Cayetano.
?Manny has all the ingredients of success: talent, hard-work, determination, the right combination of humility and confidence, the best coaching staff, support from family, friends and country, and faith in God,? Cayetano said.
Senator Francis Pangilinan said Pacquaio showed the world “the might of the Filipinos.”
“With his newest victory, Manny is indeed the undisputed champion of all time not only inside the boxing ring but also in the heart of every Filipino,” Senator Richard Gordon said.
