By Agence France-Presse
Millions of people across the Philippines Sunday celebrated Manny Pacquiao's stunning victory over Britain's Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas as President Gloria Arroyo led the plaudits for the boxing superstar.
Arroyo took a break from an official visit to Egypt to receive news of Pacquiao's victory, regretting that she was unable to watch the fight, her spokesman Cerge Remonde told local radio by telephone from Cairo.
"President Gloria Arroyo joins the entire nation in gratitude of God for the spectacular victory of our Manny Pacquiao," Remonde said.
"
Manny Pacquiao showed the world the best in the Filipino."
"We found it incredulous that it was that fast," Remonde said.
"We were really ecstatic. There was whooping in the delegation," he added.
At least 10,000 people watched a free airing of the fight in Pacquiao's home town, General Santos City in the southern Philippines, local radio said,
"I join the whole nation in thanking Manny for the glory he is bringing to our country," said Darlene Custodio, the local House of Representatives member, who beat Pacquiao in 2007 elections.
She is likely to face Pacquiao again for the same legislative seat next year.
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=19585.0