Arroyo elated over Manny’s victory

THE Palace on Sunday lauded boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao for defeating British slugger Ricky Hatton to become the new IBO light welterweight champion.

“President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is joining the entire nation in gratitude to God for the spectacular victory of our Manny Pacquiao (who) showed the world the best in the Filipino,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said.

Remonde said Filipinos should emulate Pacquiao who constantly improves himself amid tall odds. “Gawin nating modelo si Pacquiao [Let us make Pacquiao a model] as a nation and improve in these times,” he said.

President Arroyo, Remonde, and other government officials are presently in Egypt for an official visit.

Remonde said they were “very elated and very ecstatic” and were “in great jubilation” upon learning that Pacquiao won against Hatton during the second round.

At the House of Representatives, Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr. described Pacquiao as a “legend in his time.”

“Mismatch really. Pacman is a legend in his own time,” Nograles, who was among the several congressmen who flew to Las Vegas to watch the fight, said in a text message to reporters.

Nograles, obviously excited, could not help but take a potshot at Hatton’s fans, particularly the British.

“The British flew here with so much band and noise and songs and cheers… all sound and fury signifying nothing,” he said.