Ni HANNAH L. TORREGOZA
Marapat na ayusin ni Pambansang Kamao at Senador Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao ang kanyang schedule ngayong pinagsasabay niya ang dalawang responsibilidad na kapwa “mentally and physically” challenging.
Ito ang payo ni Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian kay Pacquiao na sa paniniwala niya ay masyado pang bata para magretiro sa boksing sa kabila ng pagkatalo sa Australian boxer na si Jeff Horn sa Battle of Brisbane nitong Linggo.
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“Based from his performance yesterday, I personally think that Manny can still fight a few more matches. At 38 years old, I don’t consider him old for the sport,” mensahe sa text ni Gatchalian.
Gayunman, sinabi ni Gatchalian na talagang nakapapagod ang maging “senator of the republic” habang aktibo rin bilang “world-class boxer.”
“Both responsibilities are mentally and physically demanding. I think he needs to recalibrate himself to adjust to the demands of both responsibilities,” ani Gatchalian.
Naniniwala rin si Sen. Sonny Angara na hindi pinabayaan ng world boxing icon ang kanyang responsibilidad bilang mambabatas simula nang manalo ito sa Senado sa halalan noong Mayo 2016.
“I see a lot of people criticizing him on social media, and to be fair to him since becoming a senator, he has had a good attendance record at sessions, with his fights coming during the recess times of Congress,” pahayag ni Angara.
Sinabi Tempore Ralph Recto na ang dapat na magbitiw ay ang mga hurado sa laban sa Brisbane.
“Those judges must be fired from boxing,” ani Recto nang hingan ng komento. “Clearly, Manny won. All those who watched the fight know Sen. Manny was robbed of victory.”
Kaugnay sa mga panawagan ng pagreretiro, sinabi ni Recto na bahala na si Pacquiao na magdesisyon.
“He knows what’s best for him, his family, the sport and his fans,” aniya. Kabaligtaran nito ni Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson na naniniwalang dapat nang tumigil sa boxing si Pacquiao habang sikat pa siya.
“Lesson learned: It is best to leave the stage while the audience is applauding,” pahayag ni Lacson sa kanyang Twitter account.
