Despite Manny Pacquiao's shocking defeat in the hands of U.S. boxer Timothy Bradley, Malacanang still lauds the Pinoy boxing pride.
"Si Manny pa rin ang nag-iisa at ipinagmamalaking Pambansang Kamao ng sambayanang Pilipino [Manny is still Philippines' national boxing hero]," Deputy Presidential spokesman Abigail Valte said in a statement.
Malacanang says Manny still enjoys people's support.
"Sa kabila ng pagkabigo ni Manny Pacquiao na depensahan ang WBO Welterweight belt laban kay Timothy Bradley, hindi pa rin natitinag ang suporta ng sambayanang Pilipino sa ating Pambansang kamao [Despite losing his fight for the WBO Welterweight belt, Filipinos' support for Manny is unshaken]," Valte added.
Malacanang also urged the public to pray for the Sarangani Representative to regain his strength and power.
"Sama-sama nating ipagdasal ang agarang panunumbalik ng sigla at lakas ni Manny. Sa susunod mo pang mga laban at pagpupursigi, makakaasa kang lagi mo kaming kaisa at kasama," added Valte.
"Sa anumang larangan, may nagwawagi at may nagagapi. Ngunit gaya ng ilang ulit pinatunayan ng lahing Pilipino, ang bawat pagkadapa at pagkalugmok ay pagkakataon upang ipamalas ang kakayahan nating taas-noong bumangon. Basta't patuloy tayong nagkakapit-bisig, tiyak tayong titindig tungo sa tagumpay, kung saan lahat ng Pilipino ay panalo," added Valte.
This is Pacquiao's first defeat since his bout with Erik Morales in March 2005. Pacquiao's loss to Bradley has ended his streak of 15 consecutive wins.
Pacquiao has accepted his defeat while fans are calling for a rematch. Some fans are even accusing Bob Arum that the fight was rigged.
On Twitter, after Pacquiao's defeat #MannyPacquiaoIsStillTheWorldsBestBoxer was on top trending topic for the Philippines, followed by #RIPBoxing.
@ProfessionalHeckler tweeted: Only TWO people (judges) picked Timothy Bradley, the rest of the world scored it for Manny! MANNY PACQUIAO, you are the REAL winner!
Columnist Randell Tiongson meanwhile said: "Oh... But with Manny Pacquiao's renewed faith, he is a real winner."
Pinoy netizens also injected humor into Pacquiao's defeat, as some Twitter users said Jinkee and Dionisia Pacquiao won't get pricey bags this time.
Foreign celebs join 'protest'
Several international celebrities were also upset with the boxing results.
Miley Cyrus said on Twitter: "Yo manny! you just gotta remember what my daddy @billyraycyrus always told me "when you knock em out, you dont need no judge!"
She even added, "I couldn't agree more with the trending topics #mannypacquiaoisstilltheworldsbestboxer."
Khloe Kardasian's also in protest: "The stats don't add up to the decision made. This is crazy! Can I really get my money back now?"
Bruno Mars also tweeted: "Pac man 4 life".
Even Pacquiao's old foe, Oscar dela Hoya, does not agree with the judges' decision.
"Bradley should have given the belt and announce victory to paquiao right after the decision," he said via Twitter.
Meanwhile, it was also reported that even Floyd Mayweather Sr., who has long been critical of Manny Pacquiao, is on the Pinoy boxing champ's side for now.
"Just spoke to Floyd Mayweather Sr. He thought Pacquiao won. Thought Bradley fought well but definitely lost," said Brett Okamoto, an ESPN correspondent, on his Twitter account.
