Andanar hails Pacquiao: ‘He’s really the people’s champ’

Manny Pacquiao celebrates his win against Adrien Broner in the WBA welterweight title boxing match Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, in Las Vegas. (Photo by JOHN LOCHER / AP)

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Manny Pacquiao is indeed the “people’s champ” — not only for bringing honor to the country but also for setting a good example of someone who has discipline, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said on Sunday, shortly after the boxer defeated American challenger Adrien Broner to retain his WBA welterweight title.

“He’s really the people’s champ. We are very very proud of Sen. Manny Pacquiao. Mabuhay ka, Manny,” Andanar said in an interview with AM radio station DZMM, noting that the boxing champ won over his opponent despite their age gap.

Pacquiao notched his 61st win over the 29-year-old Broner at the age of 40.

The fight was witnessed by thousands of supporters at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and millions of television viewers.

READ: Still the champ: Manny Pacquiao keeps welterweight title, outpoints Adrien Broner

Andanar attributed the win to Pacquiao’s experience and discipline in boxing and urged the youth to “emulate” the attitude that the boxer had in order to be successful in life.

“Alam naman natin na pagdating sa experience, andoon. Sa bilis, andoon. Although sa age ni Senator Manny Pacquiao na may edad na rin, but kita naman natin na because of his discipline ay nakakamit niya pa rin itong mga pambihirang tagumpay,” Andanar said.

[We know that when it comes to experience he has it. Speed, he has it. Although Sen. Manny Pacquiao is older now, we saw how because of his discipline he was able to achieve extraordinary victory.]

“That’s why we should really emulate Manny Pacquiao, lalong-lalo na mga kabataan. Kailangan talagang tingnan si Manny Pacquiao in a way that he has shown us so much discipline. At yun ang kailangan ng tao para maging successful,” he added.

[That’s why we should really emulate Manny Pacquiao, especially the youth. We should really look at Manny Pacquiao and the way that he has show us so much discipline. And that’s what people need to be successful.]

Pacquiao retained his WBA welterweight title with a unanimous decision, with judges scoring 117-111, 116-112, and 116-112. /atm