Press Release
May 21, 2009

Invest in RP and steer it towards progress - Gordon to Filipino investors

Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) today called on small Filipino investors to invest in their own country and contribute in steering the Philippines towards growth and development.

Gordon made the call as he commended boxing champion Manny Pacquiao for planning to invest in the country's tourism industry by becoming a partner in a 12-villa resort in Boracay, one of the top tourist destinations in the Philippines.

"Meron siyang (Pacquiao) hotel sa Boracay, that's good. Dapat ipaalam natin sa buong mundo na ang Pilipino nagi-invest sa kanyang sariling bayan. Ipakita natin na meron tayong kumpyansa sa ating bayan," he said.

"Yun ang sinasabi ko noon sa Subic, hinikayat ko yung maliliit na investments pumasok. Kailangan meron tayong patakaran na talagang maayos para mahikayat ang iba pang maliliit na investors," he added.

When the American soldiers abandoned their military facility in Subic, Gordon led a group of volunteers in turning the facility into a Freeport and succeeded in making it into a tourism and investment hub.

In a span of four years, the Subic Bay Freeport created 200,000 jobs and generated US$2 billion worth of investments. Tourists also arrived in droves. During the Holy Week this year alone, a total of 175,936 tourists arrived, raising the hotel occupancy rates in 20 hotels and housing operators to 99.5 percent.

Pacquiao was reported to have invested in the Boracay West Cove, a resort on Diniwid Beach owned by businessman Crisostomo Aquino. The champ's interest in investing was triggered by his visit to the island in December.

Gordon earlier filed Senate Resolution 1041 and commended Pacquiao for his good work ethic and discipline, which enabled him to bring another proud achievement for the country as he triumphed over British boxer Ricky "Hitman" Hatton.

Tagged as the "Pambansang Kamao," Pacquiao once again emerged victorious in a battle of strength and wit with a dominating 2nd-round knockout victory against Hatton in Las Vegas, Nevada last May 2 (May 3 in Manila).

In defeating Hatton, Pacquiao took home the International Boxing Organization and Ring Magazine Junior Welterweight title, making him a six-time world champion in five weight divisions and preserving his title as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

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