Lawmakers express support for Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao arrives at the MGM Grand Arena on Friday, 1 May 2015 for the official weigh in for his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. PHOTO BY REM ZAMORA/INQUIRER/ See more at FRAME

As the megafight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. draws near, Filipino lawmakers express support for their colleague.

“Win or lose in this big, historic battle that will further define his career, Manny has already brought tremendous global honor and respect to the Philippines as the first and only eight-division world champion,” House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said in a statement.

READ: Pacquiao shrugs off Mayweather’s size advantage

Isabela (4th district) Representative and deputy speaker Giorgidi Aggabao, on the other hand, wished Pacquiao “speed and strength, and luck.”

“However this fight may come out. I hope Filipinos would remain united and proud,” he said.

Another lsabela congressman, (2nd district) Representative Rodolfo Albano III said Pacquiao will win because of better training and “indomitable spirit.”

“Remain humble and magnanimous in victory or in defeat,” he said.

Nueva Vizcaya Representative Carlos Padilla and ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Samuel Pagdilao said they will also pray for the safety of Pacquiao. Cebu Representative Gwendolyn Garcia said she will also be praying for a “decisive victory.”

Other well-wishers were Davao City Representatives Isidro Ungab (3rd district) and Karlo Alexei Nograles (1st district).

Belmonte said Pacquiao, who serves as the representative of Sarangani, has been inspiring the youth and imparting to them the lesson “that determination and hard work do lead to success.”

READ: As Philippine congressman, Pacquiao seen as underachieving

“We wish Manny the very best and throw our full support behind our Pambansang Kamao as he endeavors to bring pride to our nation once again,” Belmonte said. KS