MANILA - There is no stopping House Speaker Prospero Nograles from flying to Las Vegas to watch Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao fight current WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto on Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines).

Nograles downplayed criticisms that going to the US reflects insensitivity to Filipinos affected by recent typhoons.

"I have watched five or eight fights of Pacquiao. Every time he's about to fight, this issue comes out. Every time this issue comes out, he wins the fight," he said.

Appeals were previously made to congressmen--among the biggest of Pacquiao fans--to forego their trip to the US in light of the damage and destruction caused by tropical storms Ondoy, Pepeng, and Santi.

Various priority bills are also pending in Congress.

To appease critics, Nograles said he will make sure to tell Pacquiao to donate a chunk of his earnings to typhoon victims. "I will tell him, 'Bigay ka naman malaki sa typhoon victims.'"

Nograles said he will not be spending for his plane fare to the US because he will use his mileage points with Philippine Airlines.

Nograles also said reports that up to 50 congressmen will fly to Las Vegas for the match is an exaggeration. He said that not more than 10 congressmen watch Pacquiao's fights.

But Nograles wouldn't say who else among the congressmen will join him in Las Vegas.

Pass bills this week

Don't worry about the pending bills, too. Nograles said they'll try to finish them all this week.

"Marami kaming importanteng bills. Most of it have been ratified by the bicameral committee. Sa iba, we adopted Senate version already. We will finish them. If we have a quorum today, tomorrow, and Wednesday, we will finish all of these things," Nograles said.

Congress resumed session on Monday after a three-week break.

"Budget is ready for third reading. As long as we have warm bodies, we'll do it," Nograles added.

Nograles said he's leaving on Friday and will return Tuesday morning, November 17.

"Monday lang naman mami-miss ko e. I will miss the privilege hour on Monday," he told House reporters on Monday. Bills are not taken up during privilege hours as it is an opportunity for congressmen to raise local issues.

Congress will adjourn again on November 20 to allow congressmen and senators to file their certificates of candidacies for the 2010 elections. They will return on December 1 and the session will last until December 18.