Filipino politicians descended on Las Vegas as early as Thursday to give moral support to the big Saturday fight (Sunday in Manila) of young boxing idol Manny “The Destroyer” Pacquiao against Mexican Erik Morales.
Among those seen by DZMM in Las Vegas are lower house members Reps. Rodito Albano (Kampi, Isabela), Rodolfo Plaza (NPC, Agusan del Sur), Luis Bersamin (Kampi, Abra), Luis Asistio (NPC, Caloocan), Eric Singson (LP, Ilocos Sur) and Ignacio Arroyo (Kampi, Negros Occidental). Some members of the judiciary, few governors and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza were also seen in the American gambling capital.
Jose Miguel Arroyo, first gentleman, was also reported to be leading a group of politicians who trooped to Las Vegas for the match. Rep. Mikey Arroyo (Kampi,Pampanga), presidential son, did not join the trip.
The Filipino politicians are expected to join boxing afficionados from around the world to watch the World Boxing Council super featherweight championship fight between Pacquiao and Morales at the MGM Grand Hotel.
The presence of a big number of politicians in the US, however, created an embarrassment for the leadership of both chambers, which have adopted austerity measures in connection with the program of President Arroyo.
Malacanan said that they will leave it to the House of Representatives to decide whether they should penalize the congressmen who went to the US for the fight.
On Friday, Surigao Del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers, chair of the House accounts committee, did not sign any travel authority concerning the Las Vegas junket.
“Congressmen are going to watch the fight, but [using] their personal funds. The trip was not sanctioned by the House,” said Barbers.
Some of the congressmen interviewed by DZMM’s Anthony Taberna claimed that their Las Vegas junket was a just a side trip from their more important missions in the US. Official missions are sanctioned by Congress.
The DZMM also reported that prices of boxing tickets range from $75 to $750. It was also reported that a $400-boxing ticket now fetches $1,300 to $1,500 in the black market.
