It was one of the few matches boxing champ and Saranggani congressman Manny Pacquiao did not win.
Pro-Reproductive Health Bill lawmaker Kabataan party-List Rep. Raymond Palatino said Pacquiao failed to convince his colleagues to reject the measure with his interpellation of Minority Leader Edcel Lagman Wednesday night.
“He failed to convince colleagues to reject RH. Lagman, being the debater extraordinaire that he is, scored a grand knockout against the boxing champ. He stung like a bee while Pacquiao merely floated in air,” Palatino said.
Fresh from his last boxing victory, Pacquiao came home to the Philippines and plunged headlong into congressional debates on the RH Bill. T
The fighting congressman was allowed by anti-RH lawmakers to be among the first to take on Lagman, the principal sponsor of the bill.
Palatino said it was a missed opportunity for the anti-RH camp. ?If I were their tactician, I would have reserved Manny for a later debate, give him time to study bill, consult the pro-life constituencies to deepen his awareness of issue. Why did they allow a rookie to face a veteran and experienced parliamentary debater??
The interpellation was described by observers as a dud, a letdown of sorts for people who expected fireworks.
Pacquiao stuck to his prepared set of questions, did not ask follow up questions, and asked questions that were already answered before. He also stammered and didn?t seem comfortable talking.
Palatino feels Pacquiao could have come better prepared for the debate. ?They should have trained him first. He didn’t become a great boxer in one night. Same with Congress debates, it’s a skill that requires practice,” he said.
‘A for effort’
Pacquiao is not without defenders.
Lagman?s minority colleague, Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, feels Pacquiao gets an A for effort especially since he is a neophyte lawmaker.
?First termer iyan. A for effort and guts and willingness to do it. It’s not easy for a first-termer to speak in plenary. At least siya he made effort to ask questions. How many congressmen do not open their mouths? Kung bitin, kasi he didn?t rebut,? she said.
Magsaysay also defended Pacquiao from criticisms that he kept repeating questions that were already asked.
?He?s just asking in behalf of Filipino people who haven?t heard previous interpellations. Eh paano naman tao na hindi nabasa RH bill at hindi alam rationale ng pro-RH side? Sometimes when you ask a question again, you might have a different premise. Pro-RH side should be patient enough. Narinig mo ba si Congressman Pacquiao na pintasan yung kabilang side?” she asked.
Magsaysay also gave Pacquiao points for boosting interest in the RH debate.?Nakatulong siya, kaya siya interesado, good for both sides. Kung di siya nagtanong, di sila manunuod.?
Cibac party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna had the same opinion.
?Ang pagtayo ni Congressman Pacquio sa plenaryo ay hindi kinakailangang mabuti lang para sa mga kontra sa RH bill dahil nabigyang daan din ng Kongresista ang pagtalakay sa mga isyu ng panukalang batas. At dahil sikat si Congressman Manny, marami ang nakinig at marami ang nalinawan dahil sa kanyang mga tanong at dahil sa magiting at malinaw na paliwanag sa sagot naman ng pro-RH na si Congressman Edcel Lagman.”
The RH Bill is on its 5th reincarnation in the 15th Congress. Similar bills were filed in the 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th congress, spanning 13 years.
Magsaysay cautioned against rushing to a vote despite confidence by both sides that they have the numbers. She said rushing the vote deprives the public of a chance to further hear both sides.
