The President issued the commendation a few minutes after Pacquiao had lost the much-publicized but non-title fight with Mexican Erik Morales via unanimous decision at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada yesterday early afternoon.

"We cheer Manny as an outstanding Filipino. He sets an example of the toughness we need to surmount and in fighting our way to become a strong Philippines," she said in a text message.

Pacquiao is among last year’s Ten Outstanding Young Men awardees, who included movie actress Sharon Cuneta, wife of administration Sen. Francis Pangilinan. Pacquiao and Cuneta have campaigned for Arroyo in last year’s elections.

The President, who has grown fond of Pacquiao’s boxing career that has brought pride to the country, said she has always kept her confidence in Pacquiao’s capabilities despite his loss to Morales.

"Bilib ako sa tapang, galing at fighting spirit in Manny Pacquiao. I’m sure he will bounce back from this loss," she said.

Pacquaio fight unites Filipinos

MANILA (AP) — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, armed insurgents and common street folk found unity Sunday when they cheered for Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao, then collectively grieved over his defeat to Mexico’s Erik Morales.

All three judges declared Morales the winner after the non-title super featherweight showdown fought before a sellout crowd that included Arroyo’s husband and dozens of Filipino lawmakers at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevava, USA.

Pacquiao, the slight favorite, fought desperately with blood flowing down his face from a bad cut over his right eye, earning praise at home despite his loss. Many fans believed he would bounce back with the same ferocity that has earned him a string of boxing victories and turned him into an icon in his divided and poor Southeast Asian country.

"I praise Manny Pacquiao’s bravery, ability and fighting spirit," Arroyo said. "I am sure he will bounce back from his loss."

"We cheer Manny as an outstanding Filipino. He sets an example of the toughness we need to surmount our trials and in fighting our way to become a strong Philippines," she said.

In their hinterland strongholds, Marxist and Muslim separatists took time out to monitor the bout over the radio.

"It’s sad because most of us expected he would win by knocking out his foe," said Eid Kabalu, spokesman of a Muslim rebel group that has been fighting for a separate homeland in the country’s south. Pacquiao hails from General Santos City in Mindanao.

"It’s good he did not fall because that would have been more painful for us," he said.

In many areas in the south’s central region, villagers and rebels were glued to their radios, and some traveled to town centers to watch the boxing match on TV, he said.

Communist rebel spokesman Gregorio Rosal said Pacquiao fought valiantly but lost, and if there were doubts about his defeat, Filipinos could seek a rematch.

In Manila’s streets, it was evident when Pacquiao landed a good punch by the howl of the crowd which yelled his name as they gathered around TVs and radios. At a shoe store in the capital’s pier area, a crowd of about 30 men listening to a radio felt the first sign of trouble when Pacquiao’s suffered a cut in the 5th round.

When the decision was announced, they dispersed quietly, some shaking their heads.

Street vendor Agacan Angni said Pacquiao made him proud as a Filipino and felt the boxer’s loss was his.

"It’s a sad day but don’t worry, someday we will be back."

Pacquiao is still champ, says Villar

Sen. Manny Villar said world boxing champion and Filipino hero Manny Pacquiao "gave his best shot in his match" in his non-title super featherweight fight with and for that he is still "a winner in our hearts" despite losing by decision to the Mexican pugilist.

Villar said:

"For the Filipinos all over the world, Manny Pacquiao is still a champion. He gave his best shot in his match with Erik Morales. And that alone makes him a winner in our hearts.�

"Manny made all his ‘kababayans’ proud to be Filipinos. He put the Philippines in the world sporting map, particularly in the boxing world.

"Manny, More power to you. We are looking forward to welcome you back home. There are boxing matches waiting to be won by you. And the Filipino nation will support you — win or lose."

Filipinos glued to television sets

Many Filipinos, including policemen, were glued yesterday to their televisions and radios as they monitored closely the Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales fight in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

"Yes, sir. Even if we’re on red alert, our boys still managed to watch or listen to Manny Pacquiao’s fight with Erik Morales. They are all Paquiao fans," said Philippine National Police National Capital Region Police Office (PNP-NCRPO) spokesman Supt. Agrimero Cruz.

"Win or lose, Manny Paquiao is our man," Cruz said hours before the fight, which was monitored in shopping malls, restaurants, public utility vehicles, and corner stores.

Pacquiao will always be a hero — Pangilinan

Senate Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan, reacting to the defeat by Manny Pacquiao to Mexican fighter Erik Morales, said that the Filipino boxing sensation "will always be the hero of the Filipino masses" win or lose.

Pangilinan said:

"He fought a very good fight. No matter what, Manny (Pacquiao) will always be the hero of the Filipino masses. He makes us proud to be Filipinos, win or lose. We are behind him all the way and this wouldn’t change as he always makes us proud.

"Sportsmanship is not just about winning. Its also about fighting a good fight and Manny Pacquiao did just that."

Pacquiao fights an admirable fight

Sen. Richard Gordon hailed yesterday Manny Pacquiao for an admirable fight at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, saying that the young boxer has once again boosted the Filipinos’ image abroad.

"Manny made us all proud," said Gordon, adding that Pacquiao may have lost inside the ring by decision but he is a winner in every Filipino’s heart as he showed a venerable performance and earned the world’s respect.

Gordon commended Pacquiao for finishing the course with his head up high. "All Filipinos should salute him. He played fair and demonstrated confidence that did not make Morales’ victory easy," said Gordon.

Gordon said Pacquaio promoted abroad the image of the Filipinos as he ascertained the Filipinos as a strong contender in the field of sports.

According to him, the enormous HBO sales established the strong Filipino market in the US considering that it was a non-title fight. He said that this phenomenon would recognize the Filipino market as an important constituency in the US and in the whole world.

Gordon urged the Filipinos to unite and make this event a catalyst to national change so that despite our lack of resources, we can attain our goals. Gordon said that with Pacquiao’s admirable fight in the international limelight, "the world once again recognized us as a potent force both in economic and political terms."