PNoy calls Pacquiao a ‘hero’ after victory over Mosley

(Updated 3:12 p.m.) JAKARTA, Indonesia — President Benigno Aquino III on Sunday called eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao a “hero" after the Filipino boxing icon defeated American fighter Shane Mosley via unanimous decision in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). Aquino praised Pacquiao particularly for his discipline, determination and skills, which the President said continued to bring pride to the country. “Walang dudang isang bayani si Manny Pacquiao: ang Pound for Pound King na patuloy na naghahatid ng papuri sa bansang Pilipinas, at bumubuhay sa diwa at dangal ng lahing Pilipino," Aquino said. Aquino, who missed the fight, was informed of Pacquiao’s victory by some members of his delegation. He is in Jakarta for the 18th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “Sa kaniyang 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," he said. No Superman On Saturday night, in an interview with reporters, Aquino said Pacquiao should consider retiring from boxing for his own good. He said he already mentioned this to the Filipino boxing champion. “Pag nakita ko naman si Manny, (sinasabi ko) at some point, isipin mo naman magretiro ka. Wag naman yung parang walang katapusan na may damage rin naman yan sa katawan mo. Marami ka na namang nagawa para sa bayan," he recalled his conversation with Pacquiao. Aquino said Pacquiao just kept on nodding his head when he gave the advice. Aquino also said Pacquiao should not take the whole responsibility of always boosting the morale of Filipinos. “Di dapat ipilit ni Manny na gagawin niya lahat ng ito para in high morale ang mga Pilipino," he said. He added that Filipinos should also not give Pacquiao the same burden. “Ang point siguro, ang emphasis lang dun dapat di tayo naghahanap ng isang tao, Superman na kumakarga sa ating lahat." Yellow gloves But on Sunday, Aquino said Pacquiao’s victory was even more meaningful with his decision to wear yellow gloves to emphasize efforts to fight poverty. Pacquiao wore yellow gloves during the 12-round match to symbolize the fight against poverty and to call for unity of Filipinos around the world. “Sa kabila ng kaniyang tagumpay, hindi kinakalimutan ni Manny na lumingon at ibangon ang mga kababayan niyang pinabagsak ng mga suliranin," Aquino said. Pacquiao’s colleague from the House of Representatives, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño, meanwhile, said that the Filipino boxer’s victory should serve as an inspiration for the Aquino government to continue fighting social ills. “May his [Pacquiao’s] string of victories further inspire us to persevere and keep fighting the social ills of poverty and marginalization that Manny himself overcame in his life," Casiño said in a text message Sunday. Pacquiao, who came from a poor family in General Santos City, serves as the representative of the lone district of Sarangani province in Mindanao. - with Andreo Calonzo, GMA News.