Duterte: Pacman should retire

MANILA, Philippines — He’s the “people’s champ,” but Sen. Manny Pacquiao is 39 and has already made so much money it’s time for him to enjoy life and give boxing a rest, President Duterte said yesterday.

Duterte watched the fight at the VIP section of the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur together with his son Sebastian and several Cabinet members. They were accompanied by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

“I would like to congratulate Sen. Manny Pacquiao for giving us pride and bringing the Filipino nation together once more. You have proven time and again that you are not just a public servant, but one of the greatest boxers of all time. This win will surely cement yet again your position ot only in boxing but also in public service.”

Pacquiao is a political ally of Duterte who ran for a Senate seat under the party of former vice president Jejomar Binay.

“I am very happy. No regrets that I came earlier to watch the fight. It’s a good one and it’s the first time that I traveled outside the Philippines just to see him fight. Other fights were held in the United States,” added Duterte who flew to Kuala Lumpur to witness Pacquiao’s 60th fight live.

Malacañang called the win a “tremendous feat” as presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said it did not only bring honor and glory to the Philippine flag but also united Filipinos here and abroad.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, the designated government caretaker while Duterte is in Malaysia, said “the entire Filipino nation shares in the glorious victory of our champion and boxing idol Manny Pacquiao!”

“His triumph reflects our country’s united aspiration to rise above adversity and determined efforts to find a lofty place in the community of nations,” Guevarra said in a statement sent to The STAR.

While impressed with Pacquiao’s fight, Duterte also urged the senator to retire from boxing.

“I said he’s 39. Not because he cannot win, or lose, but I’d like to see my friend rest on his laurel... at this time and enjoy life. He has so much money already. No problem. He can enjoy life,” Duterte told reporters in Malaysia.

He added that he would be inspired to meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad today because of the victory.

Mahathir said the Pacquiao-Matthysse fight was a “historical day” for Malaysia.

“This is a big, big historical day for Malaysia where we have one Filipino champion fighting in Malaysia (and) witnessed by the leaders of both countries… That’s why the leaders of both countries have boxing diplomacy. We don’t punch each other,” the Malaysian leader said.

Both Duterte and Mahathir, who gamely did the ‘Duterte fist’ in a photograph, watched the Pacquiao- Matthysse bout at the VIP section of the Akiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and had lunch together after the fight.

Duterte is set to formally meet with Mahathir today.

Senators also celebrated the victory of their colleague as one that brings pride to the entire nation.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who also went to Kuala Lumpur, said it was like “watching Manny 10 years ago” as Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito praised Pacquiao for giving “so much pride and honor to our country.”

“Collecting belts and leaping across weight divisions, Pacman is in a class up there with the greatest of boxers. He punches hard. He plays fair. Bold Filipino blood runs in his veins. We are all proud of him,” said Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri who, like Pacquiao, also hails from Mindanao.

Sen. Cynthia Villar said the victory of Pacquiao only shows that “nothing is impossible if you put your heart and mind in achieving a goal” as Sen. Panfilo Lacson thanked God for hearing his early morning prayer for Pacquiao and fellow Filipino boxer Jhack Tepora “to be safe, not to be hurt badly, and victorious—all in that order.”

For Sen. Joel Villanueva, the victory demonstrates that “with hard work and determination, nothing is impossible.”

Sen. Richard Gordon said the fight showed that age does not matter but the will to win does.

“Manny, at 39, wins his umpteenth world title on his 60th fight and Mahathir Mohammad is Prime Minister of Malaysia and staged a comeback at 92,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s fellow soldiers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated his big and convincing win against Matthysse, calling him a true inspiration to the Filipino people.

Military spokesman Col. Edgard Arevalo said Pacquiao, a reservist Army colonel, showed grit, determination and courage after his previous falls and over doubts on his ability to continue fighting and claim victory.

“This time he showed that if you aspire for something, if you want to prove your ability as a Filipino, you should prepare, persevere, and give it your all. Believe in yourself, pray, and trust in the Lord and we will win, and that’s what he did exactly,” Arevalo said.

He added that Filipino soldiers are very proud of his accomplishments and achievements “because he lived by the saying of soldiers – the more you get wounded, the braver you get.”

Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the boxing icon will serve as an example and inspiration to Filipinos, especially in handling problems on criminality and illegal drugs.

At the House of Representatives, administration allies gave Pacquiao two thumbs up for the victory with Deputy Speakers Miro Quimbo and Raneo Abu, Reps. Alfred Vargas and Winston Castelo (Quezon City), Karlo Nograles (Davao City) and his brother Jericho, LRay Villafuerte (Camarines Sur), Robert Barbers (Surigao del Norte), Ben Evardone (Eastern Samar), Rodel Batocabe (Ako Bicol), Yedda Romualdez (Leyte) and Sherwin Tugna (Citizens Battle Against Corruption) lauding him for making Filipinos proud. – With Edith Regalado, Edu Punay, Michael Punongbayan, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Delon Porcalla, Marvin Sy