Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao said that he is going to push in Congress the creation of a Boxing Commission that will be tasked to protect the welfare of professional boxers in the country.
He said that with the help of Sen. Koko Pimentel the bill has the support of many lawmakers, who will also help craft the ideal rules and regulation for professional athletes.
?Ayusin nating mabuti ang rules and regulation sa boxing. Magtatag tayo ng isang bill creating a boxing commission para ma-protektahan natin ang ating mga boksingero,? said the 8-weight division world champion Pacquiao during Saturday?s awarding rites of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night at the Manila Hotel.
For his part, Vice President Jejomar Binay said that the country?s sporting heroes displayed the character and ability of the Filipinos, whom they proudly represented in the international arena.
?Whether on courts, fields and rings, our athletes proved more than the talent given to them by the Creator. They showed the character and ability of the nation they so proudly represent and through strong competition they do goodwill between states, champion and promote peace,? said Binay, the main guest and speaker in the awarding ceremonies.
Binay along with Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose Cojuangco and PSA president Rey Bancod bestowed upon billiards world champion Dennis Orcollo, who along with WBC bantamweight champion
Nonito Donaire shared the Athlete of the Year honor.
Besides Orcollo and Donaire, other awardees were Billiards Sports Confederation of the Philippines (BSCP) and Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) as National Sports Association of the Year and ABAP President Ricky Vargas for the Executive of the Year plum. ?As sports leaders, we need to present a program that is worthy of support from POC, PSC, and the private sector,? Vargas stressed.
Phil Younghusband and Chiefy Caligdong were also named as Mr.
Football, while golfer Juvic Pagunsan for the PSA Presidential Achievement Award and Brian Villoria, Ana Julaton, Donnie Nietes for pro boxing.
Other awardees were Mark Anthony Barriga for amateur boxing, Efren `Bata? Reyes and Rubilen Amit for billiards, Jessie Aligaga (wushu), Dembert Arcita (wushu), Dragon Boat team, Jimmy Alapag (pro basketball), Calvin Abueva (amateur basketball), Bobby Parks Jr. (amateur basketball), Jhonnel Ababa (pro golf), Dottie Ardina (amateur golf), Rupert Zaragosa (amateur golf), Magna Carta (Horse of the Year), Jesse Guce (Jockey of the Year), Kenneth San Andres (motocross) and Malvinne Ann Alcala (badminton)
All gold medalists in the recent 26th Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia were also given special citations.
