The conferment of the Congressional Medal of Distinction was contained in House Resolution no. 625 authored by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II, and House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.

According to the resolution, the distinction honors Pacquiao "for becoming the first professional boxer in history to capture eight world titles in eight different divisions."

Due to his fresh feat, the Filipino boxing icon is now considered "the greatest boxer of all time, even surpassing the legendary careers of boxing greats such as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Oscar dela Hoya," it said.

The resolution further said that Pacquiao’s latest victory "brings once again prestige and honor to the country, arouses a feeling of pride and patriotism among our people and his sportsmanship character serves as an inspiration for the sports-loving Filipino youth to emulate and for the Filipino people to treasure for all time."

Gonzales, in a chance interview, said that "undoubtedly, Congressman Pacquiao deserves it."

He said that Pacquiao has been the first and only recipient of the medal, which was created by the 14th Congress.

Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap also filed House Resolution no. 609 "commending its most distinguished member, the Honorable Manny Pacquiao."

The resolution stated that "Pacquiao once again brought pride, honor and glory to the country for his masterful and overwhelming victory against three–time World Champion Antonio Margarito of Mexico, capturing the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Welterweight World Champion, and winning an unprecedented 8th championship in as many boxing weight divisions."

"With this victory, Congressman Pacquiao gained not just a sure ticket to Boxing Hall of Fame, or the title of being the 'Greatest Boxer of His Generation,' but immortality, for he is now fast becoming as the true 'Greatest Boxer of All Time,'" said Yap.

The Bohol solon, in his Resolution was glowing with praise and admiration for Pacquiao, who like him was also a neophyte congressman.

He cited that Pacquiao masterfully fashioned out a victory against Margarito before a record crowd of more than 75,000 at the Cowboy’s Stadium in Arlington City, Dallas, and millions of spectators worldwide, including almost all of the Filipinos in the country, who were glued the entire fight in their television sets, theaters, radios or on the internet.

HR 609 also confers upon Pacquiao, the "Congressional Medal of Achievement," the highest honors which Congress bestows upon any individual.

Its previous recipients include former South African President Nelson Mandela, who received the award in 2004.

Yap also called on Malacanang to declare the return of the Filipino boxing icon to be a "National Day of Celebration" and a "Special National Holiday."

It also urged the Executive Department, local government units (LGUs), State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) and other government institutions to prepare special programs all over the country in honor of Pacquaio.

"Traditionally, after his fights, Manny is paraded in motorcades and feted with special programs in Manila , his home province of Saranggani, and his native city of General Santos. With the enormity of his victory, a National Day of Celebration and Holiday should be declared so that the return of the Honorable Pacquiao, a true Filipino hero, should be celebrated by the entire country," he said.

Speaker Belmonte earlier said that "the Philippines is again proudly united in congratulating world boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. This Chamber takes pride as well that he brings another victory back home as a member of the House."

"It is my hope that his (Pacquaio) story of triumph continues to inspire our youth into realizing that success is close to those who are determined and willing to work very hard to achieve it," he said.

Other resolutions were also filed by Reps. Renato Unico Jr. (Camarines Sur), Eduardo Gullas (Cebu), Christopher Co, Alfredo Garbin Jr. and Rodel Batocabe (AKO Bicol party-list), Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Bagong Henerasyon party-list), Teddy Casino (Bayan Muna), Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro), Maximo Rodriguez (AbaMin party-list), Winston Castelo (Quezon City), Amado Bagasting (Manila), Erico Aumentado (Bohol), Ma. Carmen Zamora-Apsay (Compostella Valley), Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel (Malabon), Carol Jane Lopez (Yacap party-list), Florencio Noel (An Waray party-list), Justin Chipeco (Laguna), Juan Edgardo Angara (Aurora), Dan Fernandez (Laguna), Antonio Alvarez (Palawan), Salvio Fortuno (Camarines Sur), and Seth Jalosjos (Zamboanga del Norte).

Lilybeth Ison, Manila Bulletin