Malacañang congratulated yesterday boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny" Pacquiao for his victory over Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao retained his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title with a 12-round majority decision victory over rival Marquez  of Mexico at the  MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The  judges scored the bout 114-114, 115-113, and 116-112 for the controversial win for Pacquiao.

PresidentiaL spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that President Benigno Aquino III was elated to learn about Pacquiao’s triumph although he was not able to view the live bout owing to his other engagements including a dinner with top leaders at the staging of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leader’s Summit in Honolulu.

President Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office secretary Ramon Carandang also commended Pacquiao .

“Congratulations to the Filipino people and to Pacquiao. There was no knockdown by Pacquiao today but we have seen the judges decide and Pacquiao was victorious," Carandang said.

He also said that with Pacquiao’s victory, there is no longer any question that he is “one of the greatest boxers in the history of the sport."

On the other hand, he said there is also no question Marquez is “probably the worthiest opponent Pacquiao has ever faced."

“Congratulations din kay Marquez for a very good fight," Carandang said.