SENATOR Francis Escudero  praised the People’s Champ  Rep.Manny Pacquiao for once more bringing honor to the country and to the Filipino race after his victory over Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez.

The senator also lauded Marquez for his determination to show to the boxing world that he can match the strength and will power of the Filipino boxing hero.

“Sa larangan ng palakasan totoo talaga yung kasabihan na ‘bilog ang bola.’ Sa kabila ng pagiging sobrang llamado ni Pacquiao bago ang laban, nagpakita din ng kakaibang galing si Marquez na ‘di inasahan ng marami,” Escudero said in a text message to mediamen.

“Binabati ko si Pacquiao sa kanyang panalo at pinasasalamatan ko siyang muli sa karangalang muli ng ibinigay sa ating bansa at lahi. Nais ko ding batiin si Marquez bilang isa na siguro sa pinakamalakas na kalaban ni Pacquiao,” he added. 

About  400 Philippine Coast Guard personnel together with their families and friends thronged the Coast Guard headquarters in Manila and witnessed Pacquiao win.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ramon Liwag said that Pacquiao has been a great inspiration, pointing out that the Command supports the country’s pride and the boxing sport.

The Command’s personnel and their family and friends viewed the Philippine’s 32-year-old formidable fighter in defending his  World Boxing Organization welterweight crown against Marquez in Las Vegas, California, U.S.A.   

Liwag  earlier directed his staff to put up a big screen at  headquarters where his men converged and excitedly watched the boxing event without having to leave the Command.