Palace on Pacquiao’s retirement from boxing: He brought honor to us all

Malacañang on Thursday heaped praises on Senator Manny Pacquiao following the senator's announcement of his retirement from boxing.

"Thank you to Senator Pacquiao. He has brought honor to our country," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

"We share the joy of his triumphs as well as his defeat. He made us proud to be Filipino," Roque added.

Pacquiao, the only boxer in history with 10 world titles in eight different weight classes, has declared his intention to run for president in the 2022 polls.

On Wednesday, Pacquiao officially announced his retirement from boxing after 26 years.

"To the greatest fans and the greatest sport in the world, thank you! Thank you for all the wonderful memories," he said in a tweet.

"This is the hardest decision I’ve ever made, but I’m at peace with it. Chase your dreams, work hard, and watch what happens. Goodbye boxing." 

Duterte’s ire

Just recently, Pacquiao earned the ire of President Rodrigo Duterte for saying that corruption, such as failure to distribute P10.4 billion pandemic aid to the needy, remains pervasive in the government.

Duterte has called Pacquiao punch drunk over such allegation. 

To date, the ruling PDP-Laban is divided into two factions: the wing led by President Duterte and another wing led by Pacquiao.

Pacquiao's faction has nominated him to be its standard bearer in next year's presidential elections. He has accepted the nomination.

The Commission on Elections has yet to decide which wing is the legitimate PDP-Laban party.  — Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA News