Malacanang most recently congratulated boxer and Rep. Manny Pacquiao who won the WBO international welterweight championship against American boxer Timothy “Dessert Storm” Bradley Jr.

“Manny Pacquiao has done the Filipino nation proud again by winning decisively against Timothy Bradley. We applaud and thank him for demonstrating anew that the Filipino has the courage and skill to compete in the global arena,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.

Vice-president Jejomar Binay commended Pacquiao for his latest victory.

“Together with the Filipino people, I congratulate Rep. Manny Pacquiao in his successful fight against Timothy Bradley. He again showed the characters of a Filipino–the determination to face all difficulties of life, to rise again and hurdle all challenges.”

After this fight, Pacquiao said he already committed to spend more time with his family and focus on serving the people in the Philipppines. He said this is his priority now.

Pacquiao is running for a seat in the Senate under the slate of Binay who is leading the opposition in the May 2016 elections.

He had earlier said that should he be elected senator, the fight with Bradley will be his last.

Sen. Bongbong Marcos said the fighting congressman from Sarangani has given anew the Filipino people a new radiating source of honor and pride.

“Manny has shown to the world that the spirit to overcome challenges defines our character as a Filipino. Now, as in the past, Manny proves that Filipinos are resilient in the face of odds, united for a common goal, and humble in victory,” he said.

He noted that the deeper meaning of his win over Bradley is a message of our ability to prevail once we put our heart, mind, and soul to whatever test we are facing.

“Let us all translate our joy for the ‘Pacman’s’ triumph into actual solidarity and strong faith as a nation and pursue concrete actions that will make us emerge victorious against vicious troubles that try to knock down our country,” added Marcos who is running for vice-president.

Sen. Nancy Binay said as Pacquiao exited the ring for possibly the last time, “we thank Manny for the thrills and excitement he provided us in the sport which made him well-known.”

“We thank him not only for the pride and honor he brought to our country, but most importantly, for uniting each and every Filipino every time he steps into the ring. His young life was full of struggles, but through dedication, hard work, faith in himself and the Almighty, the hero from General Santos attained greatness,” she also said.

Sen. Sonny Angara said he joins the Filipino people in greeting and honoring Pacquiao in his latest victory. Once again, he said Pacquiao proved his determination to overcome whatever challenges.

Pacquiao knocked down Bradley twice before a unanimous decision victory at the MGM Grand Garden Arena last May 10 in Las Vegas. The three judges scored the fight 116-110 across the board for Pacquiao.

In a slow first round both boxers appeared to gauge each other. Pacquiao came on stronger as the fight progressed. Then he took over in the second half of the match until the end of his 58th and the last victory of a legendary career.

“Physically, if you ask me, I’m still okay, I can still fight,” Pacquiao said afterward. “But I made my decision to go back to the Philippines and help the people and spend time with my family.”

Pacquiao has a record of 58 wins, six losses, and two draws, with 38 wins by knockout. He now holds a 2-1 record over Bradley, having lost to the American in a controversial first bout in June 2012. But he won the subsequent two bouts decisively.

It was a close fight in the first six rounds, with Bradley fighting in a disciplined style and keeping Pacquiao off with his jab while repeatedly looking for an opening to land a huge right hand.

However, Pacquiao repeatedly evaded Bradley’s wild swings, and in the seventh round, he landed the first definitive punch of the fight with a short right hand that fell the American. It was the first knockdown in the three-fight saga between Pacquiao and Bradley.

Bradley survived the count but Pacquiao came back with an impressive effort in the eighth round. (MCA)