Speaker defends lawmakers watching Pacquiao fight
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/04/2009 1:16 PM
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MANILA - House Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr. defended Wednesday the decision of some Filipino congressmen to watch the November 14 fight between People's Champ Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican pugilist Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Nograles, who is in the United States, said lawmakers who will watch the fight live will only miss one session day in Congress. Earlier reports said at least 20 Filipinos congressmen may watch the fight in Los Angeles.
"I think the ones who will go to Vegas are the regulars and will not miss sessions. They leave Thursday afternoon and back Tuesday morning so they miss only one session day, Monday, which is privilege hour day. I do not know who are going because they are on their own, spending personal money and using regular Philippine passports," he said in a statement.
The House Speaker confirmed that he would be staying in the US until the weekend to watch the fight live. "Nobody is saying anything. Never missed his fight and am part of the team especially because he comes from Mindanao and has residence in my district in Davao," he said.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo earlier said congressmen and other lawmakers who plan to watch Pacquiao's fight in Las Vegas should be sensitive to the plight of their constituents. She said those who watch the fight live would be spending thousands of dollars on air fare, hotel accommodations and tickets.
“I think they (lawmakers and other public officials) are mature and responsible individuals and they know what their priorities are, like pending bills,” she said. “They should know if they have to leave the country or not.”
“We can support Manny Pacquiao in other ways. We don’t need to go there (Las Vegas) to give our moral support,” she said.
Fajardo said she was not aware of any member of the Cabinet watching the fight. It was not also clear whether First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, a huge Pacquiao fan, would go to Las Vegas.
She stressed that unlike Cabinet officials, members of Congress are not required to seek permission from Malacañang when traveling abroad.
“Everyone also has the right and to go abroad and to watch Manny Pacquiao if they want to. For as long as they do not neglect their work here or in their respective agencies,” she said.
“I’m not saying they should stay. As I said it is their decision, not ours,” she said.
“But we just wish Manny Pacquiao well and we’re praying for him. We hope that he knows that his countrymen are all supporting him,” Fajardo said. With a report from The Philippine Star
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