Press Release
November 29, 2013

Koko lauds Pacquiao for bringing boxing to higher level;
cites champ for inspiring Filipinos

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, PDP Laban President, today lauded and congratulated eight-division world boxing champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao for once again proving that he is larger than the ring in which he conquered his foes, this time fashioning out a conclusive unanimous verdict over a badly battered American boxer Brandon "Bam-Bam" Rios in Macau, China.

Pimentel said that Pacquiao, taking a break from his busy work as congressman of the lone district of Sarangani Province, also again made his Filipino fans proud of their boxing hero as he punctuated his return to the boxing world with a one-sided demolition of Rios for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) international welterweight title.

"Pacquiao's extraordinary accomplishment brought so much pride and honor to the whole Filipino nation and is a testament of what Filipinos are capable of attaining when they put their heart and soul into their goals," said Pimentel in a separate Senate Resolution 392 he filed last Nov. 26 to extend an official commendation to the ring hero.

He said that Pacquiao, in his latest victory, proved that with hard work, discipline, determination, and proper motivation, it is not impossible to dominate and defeat a taller and heavier opponent like Rios, who admitted in a post-fight interview that he was hurt by the ferocious fists of the Filipino which came from all directions.

"Pacquiao's victory is very much needed to uplift the Filipino spirit after the Bohol and Cebu earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda which cut through Central Philippines with heavy devastation in lives and infrastructures never before experienced in living memory," said Pimentel, who, like Pacquiao, also hails from Mindanao.

Beaten twice and out of action for two years before his return encounter at the Cotai Arena of the Vetenian Resort, Pacquiao performed with calculated valor and ferocity, displaying a variety of punches, stamina, speed, courage, agility, zeal, knowledge of his trade, durability, toughness, serenity, rhythm, grace and controlled competitive fury.

Pimentel said that these are the rare traits and elegant gifts of Pacquiao that have brought boxing to a higher level of the sweet science and endeared the Filipino champion to his adoring fans who feel a vicarious ride in his story book rise to fame and fortune everytime that he carries the hopes and aspirations of his countrymen in the ring.

"He was born to represent the Filipinos in the highly-competitive world of boxing. Most of his fights are recital of his talents and skills rather than a savage boxing brawl," added Pimentel.

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