Pacquiao returns to help flood victims

Pacquiao returns to help flood victims | TheLedger.com.

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Confetti rain on Filipino boxer and Congressman Manny Pacquiao during a news conference upon arrival in Manila, Philippines, early Saturday, June 16, 2012 from Los Angeles. Pacquiao, who lost his WBO welterweight title to American Timothy Bradley via a controversial split decision June 9, arrived Saturday to check the situation in his home province of Sarangani in southern Philippines following flooding that affected thousands of residents. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Pacquiao was showered with confetti Saturday, although his homecoming was much less festive than usual because of his split-decision loss in the welterweight title fight in Las Vegas.

He cut short a vacation with his family in the United States to help thousands of victims of floods that hit Sarangani province, the area he represents in congress.

“Let us forget what happened, let us accept it wholeheartedly for God has a plan for us,” Pacquiao said at a news conference where men dressed as gladiators lined up as his honor guards.

Later, he told GMA television he had asked supporters to skip the traditional “hero’s welcome” for him and instead focus on helping those affected by the floods. He said he has already sent relief supplies.

Pacquiao went to the Roman Catholic church in Manila’s Quiapo district where he addressed worshippers, urging them to accept the judges’ decision and shun anger.

Pacquiao’s controversial loss has prompted one of boxing’s major sanctioning bodies to review Bradley’s victory, the first step toward what promoter Bob Arum hopes will be “clarity” in the judging of the fight.

WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel said in a statement this week that the WBO’s championship committee will review video of the fight with five “recognized international judges” and make a recommendation. He said the WBO does not doubt the ability of the scoring judges.

Most observers thought Pacquiao had easily defended his welterweight title against Bradley.

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