Palace hails Pacquiao for bringing honor, glory to Philippine flag anew

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Sunday congratulated boxing champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao for his victory against American boxer Adrien Broner.

In a statement, presidential spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said the Palace “is one with the entire Filipino people” in celebrating Pacquiao’s win.

Panelo praised Pacquiao for his "display of athleticism" and Filipino pride.

“While 11 years older than his opponent, the 40-year-old 'Pambansang Kamao' displayed his vintage form just like in his heyday and dominated Broner, who went back-pedaling, in full twelve rounds of battle,” Panelo said.

“We thank our pound-for-pound King for not only bringing honor and glory to our flag, but for once again uniting all Filipinos worldwide with his display of athleticism, power and Filipino pride. Mabuhay ka, Manny! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!” he added.

The Filipino boxing icon is still the WBA welterweight champion after fighting against Broner at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time).