26 lawmakers flying to US in time for Pacquiao’s fight

December 7, 2012 9:26am

Twenty-six lawmakers from the House Representatives are going to the United States to watch world boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao’s fourth fight against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez this Sunday (Manila time).

An "Unang Balita" report Friday morning quoted House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II as saying the 26 lawmakers will not be able to attend Monday's session as they will be back either Monday evening or Tuesday morning.

However, Gonzales expressed confidence there will be quorum for the scheduled debate on the controversial Reproductive Health Bill next week.

But a staff of House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., citing official records, on Thursday said 16 lawmakers from the House have been granted authority to travel to the United States in time for Pacquiao's fight.

Lawyer Sherry Gonzalvo from Belmonte’s office, however, said that only two House members—Northern Samar Rep. Emil Ong and BUTIL party-list Rep. Agapito Guanlao—have explicitly stated they are going to Las Vegas, the venue of Pacquiao’s fight, for “personal reasons.”

The rest of the lawmakers who are going are supposed to have speaking engagements or seminars in the US, Gonzalvo added.

“Nagugulat nga kami kasi hindi na ganoon karami like before. Karamihan will really have to attend to official business sa states na malayo talaga sa Las Vegas,” the lawyer said.

She added that the lawmakers who explicitly said that they are going to Las Vegas in time for Pacquiao’s fight will “definitely get no funding from the House.”

Pacquiao is set to face off for the fourth time on Sunday in a non-title welterweight bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. — with a report by Andreo Calonzo /LBG, GMA News