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House prepares hero's welcome for Pacquiao


A celebration fit for a hero. This is what members of the House of Representatives are preparing for their colleague, Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, the new World Boxing Council super welterweight champion. Pacquiao is expected to return to work on Monday after being absent for a month as he prepared for his fight against Antonio Margarito held on November 14 (Manila time) at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Sarangani representative is also set to receive Monday his second Congressional Medal of Distinction, the highest award the House can give. Around 3,800 House officials and employees are expected to witness the conferment of the award on Pacquiao at the plenary hall on Monday. “We are preparing a hero’s welcome for our people’s champion on Monday," An Waray Rep. Florencio Noel told reporters. Noel, chairman of the House accounts committee, has been tasked by Speaker Feliciano “Sonny" Belmonte Jr. to head the welcoming committee for Pacquiao along with Yacap party-list Rep. Carol Jayne Lopez. “Everyone is participating and everybody is contributing in their own little way to pay tribute to the greatness of Pacquiao," he said. Lopez said a press conference of Pacquiao may be held at the House press center of the House of Representatives. Noel said lawmakers are now pooling their personal resources to raise funds to support the hero’s welcome for Pacquiao. After the awarding, a small celebration at the rear entrance of the House of Representatives will follow where Pacquiao, also a singer, is expected to jam with a band. Noel said a packed meal from a Filipino-owned fast food chain will be given to the House officials and employees to promote “Filipino products." Aside from the recent victory over Margarito, Pacquiao had won the World Boxing Council (WBC) Flyweight Champion in 1998-1999; International Boxing Federation (IBF) Super Bantamweight Champion in 2001-2004; RING Featherweight Champion in 2003-2005; WBC and RING Super Featherweight Champion in 2008; and WBC Lightweight Champion, 2008-2009. He is also the current champion of the International Boxing Organization (IBO) and RING Junior Welterweight Champion as well as in the World Boxing Organization, and reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) Welterweight Champion. Pacquiao’s record in the ring now stands at 57 fights, of which 52 are wins (38 by way of knockout), three losses, and two draws. – VVP, GMANews.TV

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