“IKAW pa rin ang aming champion, forever and ever!”

Thus said Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim yesterday as he called on the nation to celebrate the latest pride and glory that People’ Champ Manny Pacquiao brought to the country for winning the fight over Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez yesterday.

Lim, along with Manila Police District Director Senior Supt. Alex Gutierrez, Station 9 chief Col. Ernesto Tendero, Jr., City Security Force head Nick Amparo and department of public services chief Carlos Baltazar, joined some 10,000 Manilans in watching the fight at the San Andres Sports Complex.

“Third round knockout ang prediction ko sana kung lumaban lang si Marquez nang sabayan. Walang panama si Marquez. Ayaw lumaban ng sabayan eh. Iwas ng iwas. Kung lumaban ng sabayan `yun knockout `yun. Si Manny pa rin ang champion. Champion nating lahat,” said Lim.

The mayor said plans will be discussed today regarding the welcome party for Pacquiao.

Although his third round knockout prediction in favor of Pacquiao did not happen, Lim is happy that Pacquiao won the fight.