Laguna lawmaker wants Pacquiao coach conferred 'honorary' RP citizenship

MANILA, Philippines - For providing the best boxing training possible, American coach Freddie Roach should be conferred Filipino citizenship, because he has been very instrumental in the successful and historic bouts of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao. Laguna Rep. Edgar San Luis filed House Resolution 1142, in recognition of Roach’s untiring efforts that earned Pacquiao the monicker “best pound-for-pound fighter in the world," beating even legendary boxers Oscar de la Hoya and British slugger Ricky Hatton. “Roach has equally shown his deep understanding of our people that he picked up on the fly in the years he has been training our local sporting hero that he has easily become a part of the local community without as much raising any negative issue," the resolution read. San Luis said the credit, in part, goes to 49-year-old Roach, who was “behind Pacquiao’s legendary boxing triumphs." He said the coach has “masterfully sharpened the skills of the Filipino boxing icon to become one of the greatest fights in the history of the sport." “Now therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, to confer on Mr. Freddie Roach the title Honorary Citizen of the Republic of the Philippines," read a portion of the resolution. - GMANews.TV