Manny’s own SONA: Back GMA

Manny Pacquiao delivered his own, shorter version of the State of the Nation Address the other night, just hours after President Arroyo delivered hers at the Batasang Pambansa.

"Maganda ang mga sinabi ni Presidente sa SONA (the President said many good things in the SONA)," said Pacquiao who hosted dinner for mediamen who covered his recent fight with Mexico’s Oscar Larios at the Araneta Coliseum.

"Alam mo na maganda ang hangarin ni Presidente kaya dapat natin siyang suportahan (We know that the President has good intention so we have to support her)," added Pacquiao during the wind-blown gathering at Harbor View, a popular restaurant along Manila Bay.

Pacquiao arrived in barong, straight from Batasang Pambansa where he attended President Arroyo’s SONA. In her one-hour delivery, the President cited the latest achievements of Filipino athletes.

The President unveiled a power-point presentation of countless projects aimed at boosting the country’s economy for the years to come. She promised to build more airports as well as roads, bridges, railways and other facilities.

"Maganda talaga ang mga plano ni Presidente para sa mga local government units (the President has indeed good plans for the LGUs)," added the 27-year-old boxer, one of the President’s staunchest supporters. 

"Malaki ang budget na kailangan. Pero once na lumabas ang funds, kailangan ipatupad ng mahusay ng mga leaders ng local government (We need a big budget but once we have them, the LGU leaders must use them properly)," he added.

For the first time since 2001, President Arroyo took special mention of sports achievers in her SONA. Cited were the successful Mt. Everest climbers, the gold medalists in the 2005 SEA Games, and Pacquiao.

"We have scaled the heights of Mt. Everest. We have dominated the Southeast Asian Games. And of course, we have punched our way to triumph in the boxing world," the President said amid a big round of applause.

"Mabuhay (long live) Manny," she told Pacquiao who will soon begin training for his third match with Mexico’s Erik Morales on Nov. 18 in Las Vegas.