HONOLULU, Hawaii (via PLDT) -- President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has defended Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao from his latest fight with Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, saying the Filipino boxing champion should be credited for his triumph.

Although he was not able to view the close fight as he was attending the 19th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting, President Aquino stressed Pacquiao, a Saranggani lawmaker, won the fight.

“Hindi ba mayroong mga iba na humahanga sa mga taong nakakatsamba, sinuswerte, dito ay talagang nagpursigi siya (Pacquiao) para maabot ang kanyang kinaabutan at huwag nating tatanggalin kay Manny iyon,” he stressed during a coffee talk with Manila-based journalists at Hilton Hotel here late Saturday night (early Sunday evening in Manila).

“Tandaan natin saan ba nanggaling si Manny, at kung paano niya hinubog ang sarili niya, kung paano maging isang kampeyon at paulit-ulit na kampeyon sa napakaraming weight category,” President Aquino added.

He also said Pacquiao’s coach American Freddie Roach should be credited too for training and honing the skills of the people’s champion.

“And let us not take it away from the coach, Freddie Roach, who has really molded Manny into perhaps the peak of his abilities. So, we thank him also in behalf of the (Filipino) people,” said President Aquino.