10.30 AM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Philippines celebrates Pacquiao's latest victory

Published
By AFP

Filipinos nationwide yesterday rejoiced over boxing hero Manny Pacquiao's latest victory, broadcast live from Texas after officials vowed that the Philippines would be spared its perennial blackouts.

Live coverage of the 12-round fight between Pacquiao and Ghana's Joshua Clottey was broadcast without a hitch after energy officials vowed to prevent power shortages interrupting the event.

"If people don't get to watch Manny Pacquiao, it's big trouble. That is a national catastrophe," Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes was quoted in the Philippine Star as saying.

After the fight, there were no signs that Manila had suffered any of the daily outages that have afflicted the capital and the southern Philippines for several weeks.

In an interview with DZBB radio station after the fight, Pacquiao said: "I owe this to all my fellow Filipinos, most of all to my family."