Philippines, 03 Aug 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Sarangani Mayors' League Prexy pooh-poohs Saguisag's proposal


PhilBoxing.com




SARANGANI PROVINCE ? The Municipal Mayors? League of Sarangani pooh-poohed the proposition of former senator Rene Saguisag asking the House of Representatives to suspend Sarangani lone district Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

Mayor Victor James Yap of Glan town, Sarangani, said ?Who is he to ask for the suspension of our own representative? He is not a voter of Sarangani!?

Yap, the current municipal mayors? league president here, claimed that Pacquiao has never been remiss of his duty as representative of their district.

?Other congressmen can no longer be seen in their respective district after election. Maybe because they are avoiding solicitations or requests for help from their constituents. Cong. Manny Pacquiao is different. He?s always there every time we need him. He?s not hiding from us,? Yap said.

Yap bared that aside from being visible to his people, Pacquiao is spending his own money to help people and to finance government projects in his district.

Pacquiao spent around P6 million out of his own pocket to help the victims of Typhoon Pablo in December 2012.

In November last year, Pacquiao spent more than P10 million out of his hard-earned money for relief operations to ease the sufferings of people in Leyte and Eastern Samar battered by super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

In his district, Pacquiao purchased lands using his own funds to provide housing for the homeless.

Pacquiao is spending his own personal resources to support the education of around 2,500 poor yet deserving students in his district.

Just last October, Pacquiao shouldered the entire P12-million budget for the centennial anniversary celebration of Glan town.

Not only Glan but all the municipal governments in his district run to him for financial succor during important events or celebrations especially after the controversial Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) was jettisoned and declared illegal by the Supreme Court.

?By doing this, I believe, Cong. Manny Pacquiao deserves commendation rather than suspension. He has performed beyond our expectation as compared to other lawmakers who spend most of their time in Manila than in their districts,? Yap said.

According to Yap, Pacquiao?s integrity as public official is beyond reproach and his generosity is beyond compare.

?We consider Cong. Manny Pacquiao as a gift from above. We, in Sarangani, is very lucky to have him as our representative. Now, Mr. Saguisag wants to take him away from us? No way!? Yap said.

Yap advised Saguisag to vent his anger on the corrupt and non-performing lawmakers especially those involved in PDAF scam, ?Not on Cong. Manny Pacquiao who has been making sacrifices and invaluable contributions not just in sports but also in the rough-and-tumble world of politics.?

Pacquiao, himself, told this writer that he?s spending around P20 million a year out of his own pocket for medical assistance of his constituents.

?I?m spending roughly P20 million annually for medical assistance of my people. I don?t even earn a tax credit for that,? Pacquiao said.

There were times, Pacquiao said, that he thought of retiring from politics.

?Politics is not a satisfying profession. To me, it?s a great sacrifice. That?s why I treat it as a vocation,? Pacquiao said.

The boxer-lawmaker, however, believes God has a purpose why He allowed him to become a politician.

?I?m spending millions to help my people. And I don?t steal. One thing I abhor most is stealing people?s money. I feel, we need to regain the people?s trust and restore decency and integrity in public service,? Pacquiao said.

According to him, his legacy in boxing is already secured.

?I want to leave a legacy not just in boxing but also in public service. I want the people to remember me not only as the world?s eight-division boxing champion, but also as public servant who is not corrupt,? Pacquiao said.

The Filipino ring icon believes that attending plenary proceedings is not even half of what a legislator is expected to deliver to his constituents.

?We have plenty of good and meaningful laws. The problem is in the implementation. When we go back to our district, the problem is the lack of funds and the limited access to government social services,? Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao decried that time and again this has been the perennial problem particularly in rural areas.

?I?m doing my best to meet the expectations of my people. I?m doing my best to let them feel government is taking care of them, even if it means spending my own money,? he said.

Yap disputed Saguisag?s claim that Pacquiao is just treating his legislative responsibilities as a ?hobby.?

?It is highly unfair for Saguisag to say that. He is not aware of what Cong. Pacquiao has done in Sarangani. He should ask first what Cong. Pacquiao has done in the Lower House and what he has done here in our province,? Yap said.

Yap was wondering why Saguisag did not ask the House to suspend Rep. Julio Ledesma, a veteran Negros Occidental lawmaker and husband of actress Assunta De Rossi.

Ledesma has also been a frequent top placer in the list of absentee lawmakers. He registered more absences than Pacquiao based on records made available last year by the Office of the Secretary General.

Others who ranked higher in the list of absentees were former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Lanao del Norte Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo, both under hospital detention for non-bailable criminal charges.

For Yap, plenary hall attendance is not the sole basis of a congressman?s legislative accomplishments.

?Constituency work in his congressional district is also considered part of a lawmaker?s duty,? Yap said.

Pacquiao is expected to show up at the plenary hall as soon as the Lower House resumes session next year.

Pacquiao is scheduled to fly to the United States in January to finalize if not sign a new fight contract, then to England for a courtesy call with Prince William and to serve as one of the judges for the 2015 Miss Universe Pageant. /By Aquiles Z. Zonio


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • JERWIN ANCAJAS DEFEATS RUBEN CASERO IN CALIFORNIA
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • The Bout Outside The Ring: Boxing and the Filipino Struggle for Legitimacy
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • Filipino FIDE Master Roel Abelgas finishes second in Hongkong rapid chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 Aug 2025
  • Cañizales defeats Pradabsri and wins WBC title in Venezuela
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • PH's Nouri snags blitz gold in Asian Amateur Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: The Boxer
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Duarte vs. Sims Jr. Title Eliminator Official: All Fighters Make Weight in Chicago
    , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • ALLEN v MAKHMUDOV, SUGAR NUNEZ IN MEXICO AND MORE AS MATCHROOM BOXING CONFIRMS HUGE AUTUMN LINE-UP – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Undaloc Jr. leads BBG 300 Ultra Marathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025
  • Round One: Dr. Bernard Remollino Brings Pancho Villa Back Into the Ring
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • Panya Pradabsri, Carlos Cañizales Make Weight for WBC 108 World Title Rematch in Venezuela
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • “NOWHERE TO RUN” OSCAR “LA MIGRAÑA” DUARTE VS. KENNETH “BOSSMAN” SIMS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • Pabular to make 1st title defense on Aug. 12
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • Tacurong excited to play in Buhangin slugfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025
  • Kenneth “Lover Boy” Llover vs Former Champ Luis “Nica” Concepcion August 17 in Manila!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • Xiao Time: Where History Pulls No Punches
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • Vargas Speaks After Retaining WBA Bantamweight Title in Gritty Battle with Daigo Higa in Japan
    , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • The “ATV” Plan is set for Undefeated Bay State Junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez
    , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • Youth High Performance Team Captain Salim Ellis-Bey Takes the World Stage With One Goal in Mind
    , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • Trainer Tommy Brooks Passes Away at 71
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • Kyosuke Takami Stops Erick Rosa in 10, Becomes “The New” WBA 108 World Champion
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • Immanuwel Aleem Smashes His Way To WBC FECARBOX Light Heavyweight Title and Inaugural DMV Belt With Spectacular 9th Round Stoppage Of Rival Demond Nicholson On Jeter Promotions Card
    , Thu, 31 Jul 2025
  • NP Bansalan will see action in Buhangin on Aug. 9
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 30 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Competition at 2025 Brandenburg Cup
    , Wed, 30 Jul 2025
  • Antonio Vargas Makes Weight, Set to Carry the USA Flag into World Title Showdown Against Daigo Higa in Japan
    , Wed, 30 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.