Solons continue to commend Rep. Pacquiao on latest victory

8-Division Boxing Champion and Sarangani Representative Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao (Facebook photo)

MANILA — The boxing victory last month of Rep. Emmanuel D. Pacquiao (Lone District, Sarangani) continues to elicit commendation from multi-partisan lawmakers who filed at least 15 resolutions extolling the Filipino boxing icon’s triumph in honor of the country.

The lawmakers filed House Resolutions 1676, 1677, 1678, 1680, 1684, 1686, 1687, 1689, 1690, 1697, 1698, 1705, 1706, 1713 and 1723, commending Pacquiao for successfully defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight world title against American Chris Algieri in Macau last November 23, 2014 and for bringing honor to the country.

House Resolution 1706 authored by Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte, Jr., Majority Leader Neptali M. Gonzales II and Minority Leader Ronaldo B. Zamora commended Pacquiao for his overwhelming victory against Algieri and his worth-emulating traits of hard-work, self-discipline and humility.

“The ‘Pambansang Kamao,’ who came from humble beginnings, now provides a welcome distraction and wields considerable influence to uplift the Filipino spirit during the most trying times in the past, particularly the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda and armed conflicts in Mindanao,” said the Speaker.

The Independent Minority Bloc headed by Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (1st District, Leyte), through HR 1705, said Pacquiao never disappoint Filipinos, and once again dedicated his latest triumph to his beloved country, his second for 2014. Other authors are Reps. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga), Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo (2nd District, Camarines Sur), Jose L. Atienza, Jr. (Party-list, Buhay), Jonathan A. Dela Cruz (Party-list, ABAKADA), Francisco Emmanuel R. Ortega (Party-list, Abono), Philip A. Pichay (1st District, Surigao del Sur), Aleta C . Suarez (3rd District, Quezon), Tobias “Toby” M. Tiangco (Lone District, Navotas City) and Lani Mercado-Revilla (2nd District, Cavite).

The Minority Bloc, through House Resolution 1713, also commended Pacquiao and acknowledged his sterling qualities behind his victory and the honor he brought to the nation.

The resolution was signed by Reps. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo (Lone District, Aurora), Walden Bello and Fernando Hicap of Akbayan, Emmi De Jesus and Luzviminda Ilagan of Gabriela, Carol Jane Lopez (Party-list, Yacap), Fernando L. Hicap (Party-list, Anakpawis), Antonio L. Tinio (Party-list, ACT Teachers), Arnel Ty (Party-list, LPGMA) and Carlos Isagani T. Zarate (Party-list, Bayan Muna).

Rep. Mark A. Villar (Lone District, Las Piñas City), chairman of the Committee on Trade and Industry, through HR 1686 said Pacquiao’s win was inspiring with his most convincing and dominant performance.

Rep. Gus S. Tambunting, a vice chairman of the Committee on Trade and Industry, in HR 1687 said “The Pambansang Kamao is truly the embodiment of Filipino sportsmanship and perseverance.”

Rep. Gwen F. Garcia (3rd District, Cebu), through HR 1689, said Pacquiao’s win highlights his balanced life as a world boxing champion, a basketball player, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and a strong Philippine political figure. “Pacquiao’s win inspires the Filipino youth to persevere in life to be able to create world-class achievements for their families and their motherland,” said Garcia, a vice person of the Committee on Basic Education and Culture.

Rep. Estrellita B. Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija), a vice chairperson of the Committee on Women and Gender Equality, cited in HR 1676 said Pacquiao deserves commendation for his remarkable humility despite his achievements of being a boxing champion and for continuously bringing exceptional recognition to the country.

Rep. Catalina G. Leonen-Pizarro (Party-list, ABS), chairperson of the Committee on East Asean Growth Area, through HR 1680, said Pacquiao’s victory in his professional boxing matches “serve as an example to all working professionals in the country to do their best and aim for excellence in their respective fields, for the glory of the Filipino people.”

Rep. Benjamin D. Asilo (1st District, Manila), chairman of the Committee on People’s Participation, through HR 1690, underscored Pacquiao’s ardent dedication to the boxing sport, hard work and strong faith in God.

Rep. Raul V. Del Mar (1st District, Cebu City), chairman of the Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy, filed HR 1697 for the House to “Express the appreciation of a grateful nation and Pacquiao’s proud colleagues in the House for his latest jewel in his studded boxing crown, a remarkably invaluable contribution to boosting the country’s honor and lifting the national spirit.”

Likewise, HR 1698 filed by Rep. Winston T. Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City), chairman of the Committee on Metro Manila Development, cited Pacquiao “once again exemplified the Filipino indomitable spirit and brought honor and pride to the nation with his resilience, determination and graciousness in victory.”

These resolutions also commended and congratulated Pacquiao for his convincing victory: HR 1677 filed by Mercado-Revilla; HR 1678 by Rep. Catherine Barcelona-Reyes, M.D. (1st District, Camarines Norte); HR 1684 by Eric L. Olivarez (1st District, Parañaque City); and HR 1723 by Rep. Gerald Anthony V. Gullas, Jr. (1st District, Cebu).