PRESIDENT Benigno C. Aquino III just loved pound for pound icon Sarangani Rep. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s wearing his yellow gloves even as he cited him as a true hero after beating “Sugar” Shane Mosley in their 12-round match in MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas for defending the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown.

The President noted the yellow gloves that the boxing champ wore as he scored his 13th winning streak. Eight-division world champ Pacquiao  prevailed over three-time world champ Mosley in a unanimous decision despite suffering from a minor cramp in his leg which he admitted prevented him from knocking out Mosley in the third round.     The judges saw the fight 119-108, 120-108 and 120-107 in favor of the eight-division champion from the Philippines.

Pacquiao now has a record of 53 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws.

In his statement, the President said: “Sa kanyang pagdepensa sa WBO world welterweight belt, hindi lamang ang likas na tatag, lakas at tapang ng mga Pinoy ang muling ibinandila ng ating Pambansang Kamao sa buong mundo. Bagkus, ipinamalas din niya ang disiplina, determinasyon at tunay na galing ng mga Pilipino.”

“Higit pa itong pinatingkad nang pinili niyang magsuot ng dilaw na boxing gloves, na sumasagisag sa pakikiisa ni Manny sa ating laban kontra kahirapan,” the President said in a statement read yesterday by deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte over the  state owned DZRB, Radyo ng Bayan radio station.

President Aquino was in Indonesia attending the 18th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The President’s victory statement for Pacquiao in full:””Kasama ko ang sambayanang Pilipino na taos-pusong bumabati kay Manny Pacquiao sa kanyang panibagong tagumpay laban kay “Sugar” Shane Mosley sa Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.”

V-P Binay’s statement

I would like to congratulate our Pambansang Kamao, Congressman Manny Pacquiao, for defeating Shane Mosley and winning his record 8th boxing title. I, along with the entire Filipino nation, join Manny in celebrating this glorious victory. Once again, the PacMan has shown that he is indeed, pound for pound, the best boxer in the world.

Manny’s triumph  showcases the resilience of the Filipino athlete and is a testament to Manny’s hard work and sacrifice.

Congratulations to Manny! Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!

Senator Pia S. Cayetano’s statement

“Manny Pacquiao is a true people’s champ. He draws inspiration from his people and the Filipino people draw inspiration from him. Having fought and defeated the best fighters of his generation, he is undoubtedly the boxing world’s greatest pound-for-pound king.