Pacquiao’s victory hailed

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday hailed Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s victory over American boxer Adrien Broner and thanked him for “bringing honor and glory” to the nation.

“The Palace is one with the entire Filipino people in celebrating Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao’s successful WBA welterweight title defense over Broner,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“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 (Long live the Philippines)!” he added.

Panelo said Pacquiao displayed his vintage form as he was fighting a much younger opponent.

“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 12 rounds of battle,” the spokesman said.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Pacquiao proved the value of hard work and persistence and praised him for showcasing the Filipinos’ resilience.

“Congratulations! Once again, you have proven that age is just a number and no goal is insurmountable if there (are) hard work, persistence and determination. Thank you for continuing to bring pride to the country and for always being an example of the Filipino’s resilience and fighting spirit,” Nograles said in a statement.

Honor, inspiration

Senators also congratulated Pacquiao for bringing honor once more to the nation and inspiring Filipinos.

 “Pacquiao once again showed the world his superhuman strength and his superhuman heart of a true champion,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said in a statement.

Zubiri described the boxer as a “champion of the ages,” winning championships through two and a half decades and defying father time.

“A true inspiration not only to us Filipinos but also to people all over the world, whose life story can be emulated by kids from the streets of Africa to the slums in Brazil,” Zubiri said.

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said the fighting senator “once more brought honor to our nation and inspiration to Filipinos.”

“This bout is particularly significant as it came as Pacquiao is now 40. In a sport that prizes youth, he only showed that faith in God, the will to win, and the determination and discipline to overcome battles can be an important lesson to us all,” Ejercito said.

Sen. Sonny Angara thanked his colleague for bringing “never-ending joy and pride to your kababayans (fellow Filipinos) all over the world.”

“Once again, you have proven that you are indeed one of the greatest boxers of all time,” Angara said.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Pacquiao’s latest win is yet another proof of his resilience, strength, determination and discipline.

Sen. Nancy Binay said Pacquiao’s prowess inside the ring is matched by his humility, magnanimity and genuine love for the people.

Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV saluted Pacquiao for his grit and skill in defeating a much younger opponent.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday led members of the House of Representatives in greeting Pacquiao, a former Sarangani congressman on his latest boxing victory.

“Thank you so much, Sen. Manny, for continuing to give honor to our nation). Congratulations! Mabuhay ka!” Arroyo, who was personally invited by the boxing champion to watch the Las Vegas fight, said.

Other House leaders – among them Deputy Speaker Raneo Abu, who represents Batangas, and Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez (Leyte), Winnie Castelo (Quezon City), Robert Ace Barbers (Surigao del Norte) – followed suit.

“Sen. Manny is always there to give honor and pride to our country. Thank you and congratulations! He succeeded in proving to the world that a Filipino can stand up to the best of the best anytime, anywhere,” Abu said. 

Romualdez feted Pacquiao for “bringing continued honor, glory and recognition to the Philippines‎.”

“Sen. Pacquiao’s victory is a testament to the faith and resiliency of the Filipino spirit,” the chairman of the House committee on accounts said.

Castelo, chairman of the House committee on Metro Manila Development, thanked Pacquiao for his consistent efforts in giving honor to the country.

“We’re proud and honored by another victory of Pacquiao. A big boost to the country,” Castelo said.

Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, commended his fellow Mindanaoan even as he said Pacquiao’s victory was “expected and we thank him for bringing another honor to the Filipino people and country.”

‘Deepest respect’

Meanwhile, all units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) across the country watched the Pacquiao-Broner fight and had nothing but praises for the Army reservist colonel who again made the country proud.

“On behalf of the men and women of the Armed Forces, our congratulations and deepest respect to Sen. Manny Pacquiao,” AFP chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. said.

“I hope we can invite him here at the general headquarters to celebrate his victory and give our respect. He has the heart of a true champion, the heart of a Filipino soldier and a warrior,” Madrigal added.

The AFP, in a separate statement, said the military is one with the whole nation in celebrating another victory by the Pambansang Kamao.

“In his latest triumph… Pacquiao did not only demonstrate the Filipino’s natural trait of strength and courage, but he also showed the world how determined, disciplined and hardworking the Filipinos are – just like his comrades in the AFP,” the statement declared.

‘Aim higher’

The entire police force is celebrating Pacquiao’s victory for the nation, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde.

“Pacquiao’s grit and determination both inside and outside of the ring should inspire every Filipino to aim higher not only for one’s interest but also for the interest of others and of the entire nation,” Albayalde said in a statement.

No major untoward incidents  were recorded during the match.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Benigno Durana Jr. said the situation across the country was generally peaceful while Pacquiao battled Broner.

“It’s the same situation everytime Pacquiao has a fight. It’s very peaceful,” Durana said.

Zero crime

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) recorded zero crime during the Pacquiao-Broner fight.

The NCRPO’s tactical operation center has not received any report of crime incidents during the bout won by Pacquiao, according to NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar.

“The 12 million Metro Manilan’s were glued in front of their television sets to watch the bout and their long wait paid off with Pacquiao dominating his American opponent,” Eleazar said in an interview.

Several cities in Metro Manila arranged pay-per-view schemes for their constituents in basketball courts, covered courts and stadiums, which, Eleazar admitted, helped in their zero-crime accomplishment as those without TV sets watched the bout for free.

The streets in Metro Manila were also almost empty because residents chose to watch the fight instead of going out and spending time in malls, parks and areas of convergence, according to Eleazar. – Paolo Romero, Delon Porcalla, Micahel Punongbayan, Emmanuel Tupas, Non Alquitran, Roel Pareño, Ramil Bajo