Filtered By: Topstories
News

House to confer highest award to Pacquiao for 2nd time


When Sarangani Rep. and Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao returns to work next week, he will again be conferred with the highest award the House of Representatives can give. The House of Representatives on Monday adopted House Resolution 625 conferring Pacquiao, who is serving his first term as congressman, the Congressional Medal of Distinction. It will be his second time to receive such an award and the only person to receive it. There were also 19 other resolutions “recognizing, commending and expressing our highest esteem and congratulations" to Pacquiao filed and later adopted by the chamber. HR 625, authored by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales and Minority Leader Edcel Lagman, hailed Pacquiao for becoming the first professional boxer in history to capture eight world titles in eight different weight divisions after defeating Antonio Margarito in Texas on Sunday (Manila time). It stated that their colleague is now considered the greatest boxer of all time, even surpassing the legendary careers of boxing greats such as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar dela Hoya, whom Pacquiao has also defeated. World-class fighter “The victory proved that Pacquiao is a world-class fighter capable of defeating any boxer of great caliber with discipline, determination, patience and sheer courage as weapons," the resolution read. It added that Pacquiao further endeared himself to the fans for remaining a gentleman in spite of his complete dominance of Margarito, whom he allowed to last 12 rounds. It also cited Pacquiao’s remarks after the fight that “boxing is a sport, it is not about killing each other. I did not want to damage him permanently." “This latest triumph of Manny Pacquiao brings once again prestige and honor to the country, arouses a feeling of pride and patriotism among our people and his sportsmanship character serves as an inspiration for the sports-loving Filipino youth to emulate and for the Filipino people to treasure for all time," the resolution read. Aside from the Congressional Medal of Distinction award, Pacquiao also received a Congressional Medal of Achievement in 2007 from then-Speaker Jose de Venecia. Congressional medal Citing the need to have guidelines for the issuance of awards, Gonzales said he already suggested to the House secretary general to study and formulate rules for the granting of the same. “I have already suggested to SecGen na pag-aralan mabuti para me finishing touches talaga on how to grant yung congressional medal dahil undoubtedly si Pacquiao deserves it at walang kaduda-duda, but we are just thinking in the future to make sure that it will be a continuing award the Congress can give to Filipinos who distinguish themselves in their chosen profession," he told reporters. - KBK/HS, GMANews.TV

LOADING CONTENT