Solons celebrate Pacquiao win vs. Thurman

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Sunday celebrated the victory of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao in his bout with American Keith Thurman.

In a statement, PBA party-list Representative Jericho Nograles congratulated Pacquiao for winning the match and thanked him for showing the "true face of a Filipino: fierce and compassionate, spiritual and courageous, proud and dignified."

He continued, "the victory of Senator Manny is a demonstration that through hard work, discipline and dedication to one's craft anything is possible. All throughout the fight, Manny's experience dominated Thurman's youth." 

"With Senator Manny's win, our nation is definitely happy to see him more in the boxing arena. Win or lose, the Filipino people will always be behind him. Win or lose, he will always be an inspiration to all of us," he added.

Pacquiao won against Thurman via split decision in their WBA super welterweight championship fight in MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Samar Representative Edgar Mary Sarmiento shared with the Filipino people the celebration over Pacquiao's win, saying that his victory is a proof that hard work, dedication, discipline, experience and faith in God is the way to success.

"Despite his age, he outclassed Thurman through speed and solid combinations that were too much for a much youthful opponent," he said.

"There's no doubt that another Pacquiao fight is forthcoming and like many people around the world, we are still hoping for a Pacquiao versus [Floyd] Mayweather fight," he added.

Meanwhile Iligan City Representative Frederik Siao reminded the country of the eight athletes and one parent who died and 12 others who were injured after a truck they were riding fell off a ravine in Cebu.

The group was on their way to a district sports meet when the accident happened.

"We remember, that like the eight young Cebuano athletes who died in that road crash, the 8-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao came from humble beginnings. Like Manny, those students had big dreams of excelling in sports," Siao said.

"Excellence in sports requires much more than edifices and complexes. We need to build unshakeable, relentless, and superior strength of body, mind, and spirit--like Manny Pacquiao—in every young Filipino who chooses to dedicate his or her life to sports," he added.

Prior to becoming a senator, Pacquiao served as representative of the lone district of Saranggani from 2010 to 2013. — LA, GMA News