Pacquiao hailed by fellow senators
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 09 Nov 2016
SENATE ? It was a classic act of selflessness only legends and great men are capable of doing.
This was exactly what Sen. Manny Pacquiao had shown when he declared at the plenary of the Senate Tuesday afternoon that he?s donating his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight championship belt to the Philippine Senate.
?My victory is not mine alone. This is for all of you. I owe my victory to the fans and to every Filipino. So, I am donating my WBO Championship belt to the Senate,? Pacquiao said in his speech.
Spectators at the gallery were impressed and they couldn?t help but said ?Wow!?
Pacquiao stood to deliver his arrival statement before the plenary shortly after his fellow Mindanaoan Sen. Miguel ?Migs? Zubiri delivered an inspiring sponsorship speech for his resolution giving accolade to Pacquiao.
In his speech, Zubiri commended Pacquiao for doing a great job not just as a boxer but also as senator of the republic.
Zubiri noted how Pacquiao actively and diligently performed his legislative duties while training hard for his scheduled ring duel with Vargas.
Pacquiao on Saturday dethroned Mexican-American boxer Jessie Vargas as WBO Welterweight Champion in a grueling yet thrilling 12-round championship bout.
Sen. Manny Pacquiao shows to his curious colleagues the head injury he sustained during a 12-round brawl with dethroned WBO Welterweight champion Jessie Vargas last Saturday in Las Vegas. The wound required 16 stitches to fix.
Mindanaoan Sen. Miguel Zubiri delievers a sponsorship speech for his resolution commending Sen. Manny Pacquiao for making another history not just in politics but also in boxing.
Fellow senators joined newly-crowned WBO Welterweight champ Sen. Manny Pacquiao in a photo op.
Photos by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
His conquest of a young and hungry ring warrior in Vargas made Pacquiao the first ever active boxer-senator to win a world boxing crown.
Pacquiao bared donating his WBO championship belt to the Philippine Senate made his victory sweeter and even more historic.
?Where can you find a legislature in the world where a world boxing championship belt of an active boxer-senator is being displayed? Only here in our country,? Pacquiao said.
Senate President Aquilino ?Koko? Pimentel III hailed Pacquiao for his decision.
?We will place Sen. Pacquiao?s WBO Champhionship belt on a glass box. Of course with his photo and a copy of the Senate resolution giving him the commendation,? Pimentel said.
Pacquiao and his small entourage, which include PNP chief Director General Ronald ?Bato? Dela Rosa, arrived at the NAIA airport past 4:00 a.m. Tuesday.
After a series of interviews, Pacquiao proceeded to Dusit Thani hotel in Makati where the Solar Sports Entertainment and GMA7 had tendered an exclusive arrival breakfast for him.
Pacquiao dropped by his Forbes Park residence just to freshen up then went straight to the Senate to perform his legislative duties.
Pacquiao was warmly welcomed by his office staff and Senate employees. They swarmed on him, taking almost every chance to have ?selfie? or photo opportunity with the Filipino boxing legend.
Before the session started, he went up to the office of Senate President to inform him about his decision to donate the prestigious belt.
?Are you serious?? a seemingly amazed Pimentel asked. Pimentel then proceeded to congratulate Pacquiao for his latest ring exploit.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
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