Published - P-Noy prays for Pacquiao victory

By The Philippine Star

JAKARTA – President Aquino will be joining the nation in praying for another victory for Filipino world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao even as he will be busy attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Leaders’ Summit and related meetings here.

“The President and the people are 1,000 percent behind him,” Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang said about Pacquiao in a press briefing yesterday on the sidelines of the summit.

“Our prayers go to Manny Pacquiao as he embarks on another history-making fight,” he said.

Unfortunately, Carandang said the President would not be able to watch the bout because he would be in meetings with other ASEAN leaders.

“But like everybody else, the President is going to pray and wish for another victory for Manny Pacquiao,” he said.

Pacquiao, who is also a congressman of the lone district of Sarangani, is an ally of Aquino and had joined the President’s Liberal Party.

His fights have become a unifying force for Filipinos as everyone would pray and cheer for his victory regardless of political affiliations.

Unlike the President, Vice President Jejomar Binay is in the country but has opted not to watch the fight live.