RP sets aside politics, unites in celebrating Pacquiao victory

Warring politicians held their punches yesterday as they watched boxer Manny Pacquiao battle and eventually destroy his Mexican foe.

After Pacquiao’s victory over Jorge Solis, the country exploded in jubilation, with political rivals even promising him a "hero’s welcome" upon his return.

The fight was aired live on giant television screens in various parts of the country, including General Santos City where Pacquiao is using his boxing fame to run for a congressional seat.

President Arroyo congratulated the hugely popular boxer for his victory over previously unbeaten Solis, saying "the fighting faith of Manny Pacquiao is the fighting faith of the Filipino."

The President said his victories in world competition should be matched by the country’s victory over "poverty and injustice."

She issued the statement from the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City, where she has been staying for most of last week.

Arroyo’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, who is still recovering from major heart surgery on Tuesday, was not allowed to watch the fight as it might make him too emotional. His doctors said they would inform him of the outcome later.

The President was scheduled to watch the fight at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City with some Team Unity senatorial candidates, but she had to go back to the hospital at 11 a.m. after attending Mass and novena in Smokey Mountain in Tondo, Manila.

The President called on Pacquiao and all Filipinos "to keep up the fight" in striving for excellence and wiping out poverty and injustice.

"We must keep up the fight and win in all fronts," she said.

In General Santos City, Rep. Darlene Antonino Custodio, her family and party members were on hand to watch the fight at the city gymnasium with 5,000 people, even though Pacquiao is running against her in the May 14 elections.

Asked what effect his victory in the ring would have on the coming polls, Custodio said, "It’s up to the people but as far as the (political leaders) in the city (are concerned), they will still give him a hero’s welcome."

Custodio cheered with the rest of the crowd when Pacquiao, affectionately known here as the Pacman, weathered a head butt in the sixth round to win a knockout in the eighth round.

Her political party had previously filed a court petition for the fight not to be aired in General Santos, saying this would constitute unfair political advertising, but they withdrew their petition in the face of widespread public anger.

"This is another major victory for Manny Pacquiao and the Filipino people. Once again, he has succeeded in uniting the Philippines and his countrymen, showing the whole world that Filipinos are champions," outgoing Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said in a statement.

Atienza, a patron of Pacquiao, said the city government would roll out the red carpet for the boxing legend.

Atienza’s son Ali, who is running for mayor to succeed his father, said Pacquiao’s life story should provide an inspiration to the youth.

"These are virtues that Manny Pacquiao has time again shown. We look forward to his return and hope he continues to use his talent for the greater good," he said.

Television footage of the fight showed Filipinos at the Texas stadium, cheering a triumphant Pacquiao with the chant "congressman.’’

In Manila, about 3,000 spectators in San Andres Sports Complex cheered and punched their fists in the air as they watched the fight on a giant screen.

"I was so overjoyed, I couldn’t even imagine this," said taxi driver Joel Cawan, 28, who is also from General Santos.

"I follow all of his fights. I am just so happy to see his fights. I stop driving every time he fights," he said.

However when asked if he would vote for Pacquiao in the coming elections, Cawan smirked and said no.

"Pacquiao is good in helping others, in helping the less fortunate, (but) politics is a dirty game. He may lose his credibility if he becomes a politician," he said.

In a post-fight interview aired over local television, Pacquiao refused to capitalize on his latest victory, saying "I am uniting our Filipinos in this hour. I do not want to talk about politics. But I showed that I can manage these two different things."

Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. took time out from his campaign sortie for his reelection bid to watch the Pacquiao-Solis bout.

De Venecia and wife Gina, former senator Sonny Alvarez and other guests watched the bout at his residence in Bonuan Binloc in Pangasinan.

Also in Pangasinan, Villasis reelectionist Mayor Nonato Abrenica took a break from his circumcision project to watch the fight on television at home.

"Of course I watched it so that I can relate with the people if they ask me about it," Abrenica said.

"I’m a real fan of Pacquiao so I really waited for his fight," said Board Member Dionisio Villar Jr. who is running for vice governor.

Tabloid reporter Paul Lamsen who is running for councilor of Basista town, said he found an opportunity to watch the fight while in the middle of a campaign in the house of a supporter.

Dagupan City vice mayoralty candidate Belen Fernandez said she was out campaigning during the fight but instructed her staff to update her every now and then.

She said her TV ad JAB, which stands for De Venecia, Al Fernandez, and Belen Fernandez, was regularly flashed on the family-owned cable television.

Time also seemed to have stood still in Koronadal City where everybody – including politicians – appeared to have dropped whatever he was doing just to watch the fight.

Text messages saying, "congressmen Pacquiao won. He’s really great!" circulated in the city.

The sender was unknown but many believed the sender was from one of the three towns of the first district of South Cotabato where Pacquiao is running for congress.

"It’s a feast in the first district. Everybody is in the festive mood. They really enjoyed the fight," Jordan Reyes, the official mayoralty bet of Pacquiao in Polomolok in South Cotabato, told The STAR in a phone interview.

In the provinces of Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, Sarangani and cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Cotabato and Kidapawan, old and new members of the Moro National Liberation Front cheered for Pacquiao.

Pacquiao’s successful fight even upstaged the news of the raging armed encounters between the MNLF breakaway group of Habier Malik and the military.

For the Royal Sultanate of Talik, Pacquiao’s boxing feat makes him deserving of the royal title "Datu Radjik," which means "honorable warrior." He is scheduled to be enthroned upon his return from Texas.

"Pacquiao symbolized a honorable warrior. He fought his opponent with respect. He is a warrior with big heart to the poor," Sultan Datu Nasser Sambuto Pendatun said in his text message to The STAR.

"All the Filipinos should be proud of Manny Pacquiao. He brought honor and fame again to our country. He deserves a grand hero’s welcome," Hilario de Pedro III of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino said. Pacquiao is also a member of Kampi.

Koronadal City Mayor Fernando Miguel, also of Kampi, said the boxing legend is unmistakably one of the world’s greatest fighters.

"He is truly a people’s champion. He proved again that Filipinos are capable of achieving greatness while the world is watching," Lita Nuñez, Pacquiao’s official mayoralty bet in General Santos City, said. – with Paolo Romero, Evelyn Macairan, Cesar Ramirez, and AFP