YOKOHAMA, Japan — President Benigno Aquino III called up Sunday Filipino champ Manny Pacquiao to personally congratulate him for his victory over Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito.
The President, here for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, said he praised Pacquiao for his win.
`Dahil napahanga na naman niya ang lahat ng Pilipino (Because he has impressed Filipinos again),” he told reporters after speaking before the Filipino community at the Futaba high school here.
President Aquino was unable to watch the match because at the time of the fight, he was with the other 20 APEC leaders for the last session of the Apec summit.
Mr. Aquino said he was able to speak to Pacquiao just after the latter completed his medical examinations following his bruising fight with Margarito. He said the “adrenaline” of the Filipino champ was still “high” when they spoke over the phone.
President Aquino said he would meet with Pacquiao after the boxing champ?s return to the Philippines from the United States.
The President is scheduled to return home on Monday after spending five days here for the APEC summit.
