MANILA, Philippines - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday described as a “great victory” the controversial win of Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao against his Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez last Sunday.
Speaking at the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) in Malacañang, Clinton stressed that she is a fan of the Filipino boxing champ.
“We know that Pacman had another great victory. I am a major Pacman fan and in the spirit of his sport and his success, let me say that the United States will always be in the corner of the Philippines,” she said.
Clinton’s comment drew applause from the audience consisting of Cabinet officials, Palace employees and media.
Pacquiao retained his World Boxing Organization welterweight crown after winning against Marquez via majority decision.
Last Sunday’s bout, which marked the third time the two boxers fought against each other, was held at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao’s victory, however, became controversial after some boxing fans claimed that the true winner of the bout was Marquez. They pointed out that Pacquiao did not display the aggressiveness he was known for during the fight.
Marquez himself claimed that he won the match, a view shared even by some Filipino boxing experts.
President Aquino, however, defended Pacquiao’s victory, saying credit should be given where it is due.
“While we may admire some people who make it by sheer luck or chance, in this case he (Pacquiao) really worked hard to get to where he is and let’s not take that away from him,” Aquino told reporters last Monday in Hawaii where he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
“Let’s remember where Manny came from, and how he made himself a champion again and again in so many weight categories,” he added.
Clinton arrived in Malacañang at 11:28 a.m. on board a black limousine. She was wearing a black coat and was escorted by security aides. She signed a Palace guestbook at the reception hall, a practice done by dignitaries who visit the country, and was welcomed by Cabinet officials at the Reception Hall.
Among the officials present during the event were Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Cayetano Paderanga, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II, national security adviser Cesar Garcia, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo and presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles.
Also present were Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr., deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, and Finance Undersecretary Rosalia de Leon.
Clinton talked with Cabinet officials while waiting for President Aquino, who met with her at about 11:40 a.m.
They held a bilateral meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room before they ate lunch at the Reception Hall at about 1 p.m.
In her speech after the meeting with Aquino, Clinton cited the Philippines as one of the countries with the largest number of Facebook users.
“The United States looks to the Philippines and sees a trusted ally, a nation that shares our democratic values, the ancestral home for millions of Filipino-Americans, an important trade and development partner and, may I add, a country with one of the highest Facebook penetration rates in the world,” she said.
“The Filipino people, like the American people, are eager to connect, to seize new opportunities to have a voice in their own country and in global debate.”
In the same event, Clinton was awarded the Order of Lakandula with the rank of bayani (hero). “This is an honor that I will always treasure,” she said.
Clinton earlier vowed increasing military and economic support for the Philippines, which is locked in an increasingly bitter territorial dispute with China.