PINURI ni Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez ang pagbabalik ng boxing icon na si Manny Pacquiao sa boxing ring at ang pakikipagbakbakan nito kay WBC welterweight champion na si Mario Barrios.

Bagama’t nagtapos ang laban sa majority draw, sinabi ni Romualdez di nito pinapababa ang dangal at inspirasyong ibinigay nito sa bansa.

“Victory isn’t always measured by the belt—but by the courage to keep fighting,” ani Romualdez, Speaker ng 19th Congress, kasunod ng pagbabalik ni Pacquiao, 46, sa pandaigdigang entablado ng boksing.

Target ni Pacquiao na maging pinakamatandang boksingerong mananalo sa welterweight championship ngunit hindi niya ito nasungkit matapos ideklara ng mga hurado ang 12-round na laban bilang majority draw.

Gayunpaman, sinabi ni Rep. Romualdez na ang ipinakitang laban ni Pacquiao ay maituturing na isang tagumpay.

“Today, we witnessed two warriors leave it all in the ring. And though the judges called it a draw, for us Filipinos, the mere return of Manny Pacquiao to the global boxing stage—at 46 years old—is a victory in itself,” ani Romualdez.

Dagdag pa niya: “Manny showed the heart of a true champion: fearless, relentless, and full of pride for his country. Sa bawat suntok, dala niya ang pangalan ng Pilipinas. Sa bawat galaw, tagos ang determinasyon ng isang Pilipinong hindi sumusuko.”

Sinabi ni Romualdez na ang naging laban ni Pacquiao ay muling nagpapaalala sa mundo ng lakas at dignidad ng diwa ng Pilipino.

“A draw may not be the ending we hoped for, but it was a performance that reminded the world who Manny Pacquiao is—and who we are as a people: matatag, palaban, at may dangal,” ani Romualdez.

“To Manny—thank you for once again putting our flag on the global stage. You proved that greatness knows no age, and that legacy is not about wins and losses—but the lives you continue to inspire,” diin pa niya.

Nagpaabot din ng respeto si Romualdez kay Barrios para sa isang “hard-fought battle” at pinuri ang milyun-milyong Pilipino na tumindig sa likod ng kanilang boxing icon.

“To every Filipino who stood behind our Pambansang Kamao: this was our fight, too. And in unity, we draw strength. Mabuhay ka, Manny. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!” dagdag ni Romualdez.