IS REP. EMMANUEL D. Pacquiao, aka Manny Pacquiao, of the lone district of Sarangani on official leave from Congress while he?s training in Baguio City? Don?t think so, says his lawyer and chief congressional aide, Frank Gacal. You mean Manny?s Awol (absent without official leave)? I asked to double check. ?Ganoon na nga (That?s the case),? Frank replied, confirming what I?d heard. Last week, Frank Cimatu of the Inquirer Northern Luzon bureau informed me that Rep. Pacquiao had intimated that he did not file an official leave from the House of Representatives. * * * Before fans of the national fist start running around shaking their own fists at me, let me explain. Gacal says his boss?now on week two in Baguio priming for his fight with Mexico?s Antonio Margarito on Nov. 14 for the vacant WBC super welterweight belt?had approached his own boss, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte. He wasn?t privy to the chat between Pacquiao and Belmonte, but Gacal said it was his understanding that the seven-time world boxing champion asked permission for his long absence, and that the Speaker even sent the Sarangani solon off with praise for the honor he brings the country. Gacal said the Pacman?s Awol status should not be an issue because ?some congressmen also incur absences? and that the legislator-fighter chose informal time off ?because he plans to attend some sessions.? * * *
