Aquino thanks Pacquiao for bringing honor to country

President Benigno S. Aquino III receives a black jacket from Sarangani Lone District Representative Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao during the courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday (May 13, 2015). (Photo by Ryan Lim / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III has thanked Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao for bringing honor to the Philippines by fighting with courage and skill, especially during his May 2 fight with American boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Pacquiao, who arrived from the United States on Wednesday morning, paid President Aquino a courtesy call at the Music Room of Malacañang Palace at about 3 p.m. on the same day.

The Filipino boxing icon lost to Mayweather via a unanimous decision.

Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., who was present during the 30-minute meeting, said the President inquired about Pacquiao’s shoulder injury, which the boxer sustained during the fight.

Pacquiao said he felt pain in his right shoulder in the final seconds of the third round and that this injury hampered his movement for the rest of the fight, according to Coloma.

When asked by the President about his immediate plans, Pacquiao said he would take a rest to recover from his injury, which according to doctors might take three months to heal.

“They compared and exchanged observations on a topic of mutual interest: shooting as a recreational activity,” Coloma said.

The President shared some practical shooting tips and Pacquiao recalled how he joined the President at a shooting event a few years ago.

He asked the President if he could join him again as soon as he recovers from his injury, which the President welcomed.

At the end of the meeting, Coloma said Pacquiao presented the President with two black jackets as souvenirs of his fight with Mayweather.

Pacquiao was accompanied by his adviser Michael Koncz, and president of Solar Sports Wilson Tieng.