PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led the nation yesterday in congratulating Filipino boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao after defeating Mexican Erik Morales in the 10th round of their super featherweight match in Las Vegas yesterday.
“I join Filipinos from every corner of the Philippines and the world in congratulating Manny Pacquiao in his very convincing victory. Manny’s triumph exemplifies the indomitable fighting spirit of the Filipino not just in the field of sports but also in every field of struggle for excellence,” Mrs. Arroyo said minutes after the fight ended.
Pacquiao, who won the bout by way of a technical knockout, has become the World Boxing Council’s no. 1 contender in the division, whose championship belt is currently held by another Mexican pug, Marco Antonio Barrera.
“May this serve as an inspiration and constant reminder to all our countrymen that the Filipino can be the best in any endeavor when he puts his heart into it,” the President added.
President Arroyo called up Pacquiao at 3:15 p.m., Manila time, to personally convey her congratulations. “Thank you, Manny, thank you. Thank you for the honor you gave to our country.”
For his part, presidential adviser for political affairs Gabriel Claudio said Pacquiao’s victory should unite the country and put behind efforts at destabilizing the Arroyo administration.
“With his magnificent victory, divisive politics has become more irrelevant and abhorrent to the Filipino people. It’s a great time, a great sign and a great reason to be united,” Claudio said.
The Palace official also took the opportunity to call for a moratorium on political attacks as coup rumors continue to haunt Malaca?ang.
“Let there be a moratorium on attacks against the government and on the politics of hate, gloom and doom being waged by detractors of the administration. I hope we can make this feeling of unity and victory last for the good of our nation,” he declared.
As the Palace acclaimed Pacquiao’s exploits, huge crowds watched the much-awaited showdown in theaters, public squares and gymnasiums, halting traffic in Quiapo, Manila where hundreds watched the match on a drugstore’s large advertising screen, while others were glued to their TV sets and radios.
“I was really, really ecstatic,” said Rey Tubongbanwa, a bicycle taxi driver in Quiapo.
At an upscale mall in Makati City, some of Mrs. Arroyo’s political opponents and supporters joined a few hundred spectators in watching the bout on a theater screen. The rival politicians even shook hands as he triumphed.
In Caloocan City, a placard was placed in front of a jeepney terminal, indicating that services would be temporarily suspended so that drivers could watch the match.
As the President and a whole nation celebrated, a wave of politicians lauded Pacquiao’s triumph.
Speaker Jose de Venecia called the 27-year-old native of General Santos City Asia’s “greatest fighter” in his division, while adding that “he is the pride of the Filipino and Malay race.”
Other House leaders, led by Reps. Prospero Pichay, Monico Puentevella, Mikey Arroyo and Joel Mayo Almario were among those who hailed the Filipino ring legend’s victory.
“Morales claimed earlier that he never remembered feeling the strength of Pacman’s punches in their earlier fight. If he still cannot remember after this fight, then that’s probably due to memory-loss from head trauma,” said Pichay.
Puentevella, former chairman of the House committee on youth and sports, said Pacquiao’s victory exemplifies “how we Filipinos should be, united for a common goal. His fight united us in praying and cheering for him and in celebrating with him.”
Arroyo declared that Pacquiao “showed us never to give up even in the midst of difficulties,” while Almario added that “the administration and opposition should draw inspiration from Pacquiao’s heroism here and abroad and start to work as a team to build on his hard-fought victory.”
Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan labeled Pacquiao as the “Pinoy people’s champion,” and “an inspiration for the country (and) a world champion in every sense of the word.”
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza proclaimed that “Once again, Manila will roll out the red carpet for its favorite adopted son, boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.”
In Las Vegas, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo led other politicians who flew in to watch the fight, which was held at the Thomas and Mack Center at the campus of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
Other officials present were Metro Manila Development Authority Bayani Fernando, Senator Lito Lapid, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson and Cavite Gov. Irineo Maliksi.
