Villar: Pacquiao Remains a Champion in the Heart of Filipinos

Sen. Cynthia Villar today joined millions of Filipinos in welcoming home Eight Division and World Champion Manny Pacquiao after his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the United States.

Villar said even if Pacquiao failed to get the World Boxing Organization welterweight title in Las Vegas, he remains a champion in the heart of Filipinos.

“Despite his loss, Manny remains in good spirits. This is truly a demonstration of the resilience of a Filipino who continues to trust and have faith in God despite the upheaval that comes in his or her life,” Villar said.

Pacquiao and his family arrived in Manila on Wednesday morning on board Philippine Airlines Flight PR103. A press conference was held in Makati, followed by a motorcade around Makati and Manila.

The Nacionalista Party senator also commends Pacquiao for accepting his defeat and for his resolve to focus on his family and his duties as Saranggani representative.

“Hindi man malinaw and rematch na hinihiling ng marami sa ngayon, nagpapasalamat pa rin tayo kay Manny sa ipinakita niyang kagitingan sa ring at patuloy na pagbibigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa,” Villar said.

The senator also added that Pacquiao, though the underdog in the MayPac fight, was able to win the world’s admiration “because he is a fighter not blinded by financial gain but a champion who uses his fame and success to help other people.”

“We admire him for calling for Mary Jane Veloso’s reprieve inspite of the demands of his training. Sa loob man o labas ng ring, he is truly a spiritually reformed man who inspires and motivates the people,” she added.

Villar said his decision to continue his fight despite his shoulder injury is a testament of his never-say-die attitude and the will to go on despite difficulty.

“He had the option to back out of the fight when he was injured but he did not want to disappoint his fans. He sacrificed his health just to give us a good fight. I join the Filipino people in wishing him a quick recovery,” she added.

senate.gov.ph