After Manny Pacquiao reclaimed a welterweight world title with a dominant decision victory against Jessie Vargas on Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, he did not spend a few days relaxing.
Instead, Pacquiao, new belt in tow, left town the next night for a long flight back to the Philippines — the plan all along so he could ensure he was at the senate chamber in Manila when the senate went back into session on Tuesday.
Sure enough, Pacquiao (59-6-2, 38 KOs), who was elected to the senate in May, was there on time, keeping his perfect attendance record intact — a difficult task considering that he pulled double duty for the past couple of months by juggling his senate duties and training camp. The fight had been scheduled for Saturday because it came at the tail end of a recess.
When Pacquiao entered the senate chamber, he had his world title belt, and his senate colleagues passed a resolution commending his discipline to effectively serve the citizens of the Philippines while also training for his world title fight.
Pacquiao, the first sitting senator from any country to win a world title, then presented his new belt to senate president Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel as a gift to the citizens of the Philippines.
“To manifest my heartfelt thanksgiving, I would like to donate my WBO welterweight belt to the senate of the Philippines,” Pacquiao said. “The honor does not belong to me alone but to every Filipino. May it serve as an inspiration for everyone to pursue excellence and to continue fighting for our nation’s sovereignty.”
Senate resolution No. 217 lauded Pacquiao’s achievement.
“Senate President Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III and the other senators congratulate their colleague Senator Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao after the Senate approved Senate Resolution No. 217 commending Pacquiao for his recent victory over former World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Jessie Vargas, during Tuesday’s session, November 08, 2016,” the resolution read. “Apart from Pimentel, Senators Sherwin ‘Win’ Gatchalian, Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros, Grace Poe, Richard Gordon, Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto and Senate Majority Leader Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III, along with Senators Loren Legarda, Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri, Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara, Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson, Gregorio ‘Gringo’ Honasan II and Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan were also present to celebrate Pacquiao’s win.”
