MANILA, Philippines – Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao’s new passion is public service, a fellow lawmaker said Sunday.
Yacap party-list Rep. Carol Jayne Lopez expects the 8-division world boxing champion to be honored when he gets the Congressional Medal of Distinction anew from his own peers on Monday.
Lopez, who is also from Sarangani, said in a press statement that she has seen up close how Pacquiao has been taking his work seriously as a congressman.
“Boxing may be his first love but public service is now his passion. I’ve seen him in action, I’ve worked with him in Sarangani, and we’ve discussed bills and issues. He is a legislator, not just a boxer, and to be honored by his co-equals in Congress, together with the people we represent is something very special to him. He said he is eternally grateful for his kind of honor and welcome from his peers,” she added.
Lopez, who was tasked by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to prepare for a victory dinner for Pacquiao that will be held at the Batasang Pambansa grounds, said the boxing champions also appreciates gestures of goodwill from his colleagues.
“Rep. Manny is emotionally touched by the fact that the congressmen contributed P1,000 each for the dinner as gesture of friendship and support to his quest to bring honor to the country through the international boxing arena,” she added.
Lopez and An Waray party-list Rep. Florencio Noel will co-chair the victory party panel.
Noel was reported to have earlier that said some congressmen contributed up to P100,000 each while others will be bringing in lechon and other food for the victory bash.
Pacquiao also agreed to have a “victory merienda” with members of the Congress media and hold an informal press briefing with them at 3 p.m. at the North Wing press office.
The awarding ceremony will be held shortly after the opening of the House session at 4 p.m. while the victory bash will be held at about 8 p.m.
Lopez said that as requested by congressmen themselves, the dinner event will be exclusive for House members only. Their spouses and staff will not attend the event.
This is the second time Pacquiao will receive the award which was first bestowed on him in the 14th Congress.
There were around 20 resolutions filed by lawmakers honoring Pacquiao after he defeated Mexican Antonio Margarito in Texas for his 8th world title, the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight belt.
