Congratulations, but no promotion yet, for Pacquiao from AFP

Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines acknowledges the crowd just after his unanimous decision victory over Timothy Bradley during their WBO World Welterweight championship boxing match, Saturday, April 12, 2014, at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. AP

MANILA, Philippines—He may have the golden belt around his waist once more, but there would be no golden badge to pin on his chest this time around.

After Manny Pacquiao, a lieutenant colonel in the Military’s reservist force, reclaimed the World Welterweight Championship, the Armed Forces of the Philippines extended its congratulations to one of its brethren Monday afternoon but made no mention of any promotion in the ranks.

“We join Manny Pacquiao in his victory he had yesterday,” AFP Spokesman Major General Domingo Tutaan said. “He showed that a reserved force with the rank of lieutenant colonel we can rise up from any situation we are faced with.”

“We have this victory, we as fellow soldiers, are happy that he has won over Tim Bradley.”

Tutaan, however, downplayed any hoopla concerning Pacquiao moving up the ranks in reservist force.

He said that Pacquiao was conferred with the rank of lieutenant colonel since he is a member of the Philippine Congress.

“Being a reserve officer in the reservist force, one must undertake the requirements before he is promoted,” Tutaan said.

He said that Pacquiao has to undergo a Command and General Staff Course for almost a year before being promoted as a full colonel.

According to Tutaan, the CGSC contains military subjects that discuss offensive and defensive operations and has seven modules to complete in under a year.

Military’s spokesman, though, said that the AFP is looking at possible merits to confer to the eight-division World champion in regard to his accomplishment atop the ring at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“Every Filipino takes pride in the Pacquiao win and the Philippine Army is looking into what could be accorded to Lt. Col. Pacquiao for the feat he accomplished,” said Tutaan who added that there is still no tentative schedule on their celebration with the People’s Champ.

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