Manny Pacquiao (right) of the Philippines lands a punch on Brandon Rios of the U.S. during their World Boxing Organization (WBO) International 12-round welterweight boxing title fight at the Venetian Macao hotel in Macau November 24, 2013. Pacquiao registered a decisive, unanimous decision win against American Rios to clinch the vacant WBO International welterweight title on Sunday. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – House Games and Amusements Committee chairman Elpido Barzaga wants the next fight of Filipino boxing superstar and Sarangani Rep. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao to be held in the Philippines, noting the benefits for the economy and tourism.
“I wish the next fight (of Pacquiao) will be in the Philippines,” Barzaga said. “If a small country like Macau can host, why not the Philippines? We were able to sponsor the NBA games.”
Pacquiao dominated Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios in a 12-round welterweight showdown in Macau on Sunday to stop a two-fight losing streak
Barzaga said he intends to discuss the matter with Pacquiao once he returns.
“It’s doable. We have big corporations,” he said.
The congressman is also expecting a lot of speeches and resolutions honoring Pacquiao for his unanimous decision victory over Rios in Monday’s session.
Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, who was not among those who watched the fight in Macau, said he does not expect any more congressional awards for Pacquiao since the boxer has already been given the highest awards in the past.
Meanwhile, Monday’s briefing of Barzaga’s committee ended with a virtual solicitation from the congressman for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.
Barzaga asked officials of Solaire, Resorts World and Tiger Air what they have donated for the victims of Yolanda and encouraged them to donate in case they have not done so yet.
Solaire and Resorts World has donated P25 million worth of relief goods each, while Solaire’s sister company, ICTSI, which has concessions in the Tacloban City port, facilitated the arrival of the goods.
The casino operators have been asked to brief the panel about their plans for expansion in the country.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. or PAGCOR was also asked to submit its position on its revenue remittances to the Presidential social fund (PSF).
The Supreme Court recently ruled that the use of the PSF for infrastructure projects is unconstitutional. (MNS)