MANILA, Philippines ? The House of Representatives is set to confer its highest award to one of its members, Saranggani Representative Manny Pacquiao, the leader of the chamber said Monday.
Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Representative Neptali Gonzales II said Pacquiao will be conferred the Congressional Medal of Recognition for the second time and that so far, the famed boxer has been the first and only recipient of the medal, which was created by the previous (14th) Congress.
Gonzales said the House is also set to pass Monday all resolutions commending the boxing champion, who got his eighth title after trouncing Mexican Antonio Margarito in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
At least 18 resolutions have been filed in the House commending Pacquiao, including House Resolution 609, authored by Bohol Representative Arthur Yap, for the conferment of the Congressional Medal of Recognition.
Yap also urged the President to declare Pacquiao?s return to the country as a national day of celebration and special national holiday.
Pacquiao, who is serving his first term in Congress, has skipped several days of session because of his fight. But several congressmen, including Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco, have urged the leadership to make his absence as official business ?because of the honor he has given the country.?
