MALACAÑANG and the Senate heaped praises on Senator Manny Pacquiao despite losing what could be his last fight on Sunday against Cuban Yordenis Ugás.
“The boxing icon’s loss in Las Vegas would not diminish the honors he bestowed to our country and the joy he gave to our people,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a brief statement. “Senator Pacquiao will forever be etched in the hearts of Filipinos as our People’s Champ.”
Roque issued the conciliatory statement despite President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s tirade against Pacquiao after he alleged corrupt practices remain rampant under the current administration, particularly in the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Energy and Department of Health (DOH).
Senators, on the other hand heaped praise on their peer, first-termer Pacquiao, saying no loss can ever erase his record as an athlete and a boxer, which one senator said, cannot be beaten, “at least in our lifetime.”
“Senator Pacquiao may be defeated by Ugás today but nobody can ever beat his record at least in our lifetime,” neophyte Senator Ronald dela Rosa said. “He is forever our legendary champion!”
Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri noted that “Senator Pacquiao may not have brought home this title, but he has once again proved himself a legendary fighter—the best athlete we have ever had, and the best the world has ever seen”
Senator Juan Edgardo Angara affirmed there was “nothing to be ashamed of” for Pacquiao, noting that “he gave it his all” but Ugás fought a smart fight.
Pacquiao is expected to fly back to Manila just as both chambers of Congress resume full sessions next week, after going on two-week sudden suspension as Metro Manila and surrounding provinces were placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Senate President Vicente Sotto III told BusinessMirror via text message: “Yes, of course” they expect Pacquiao to buckle down to work upon his return from the United States, as Congress reconvenes regular session on Monday.
On Twitter, his fellow senators on Sunday used the last day of their “recess” to heap praise on Pacquiao.
Butch Fernandez and Samuel Medenilla