MANILA, Philippines ? Just who among the lawmakers at the House of Representatives are flying to the United States to watch the fight of Saranggani Congressman Manny Pacquiao?
Reporters covering the House have been getting information from various sources, and the leadership of the chamber has yet to verify them.
In a text message, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said, ?As of now, 14 [congressmen] have been issued TAs [travel authorities] to the US.?
They are: Representatives Peter Unabia (Misamis Oriental) from November 9 to 20, Patricio Antonio (Agbiag! Timpuyog Ilokano) from November 9 to 20, Cesar Jalosjos (Zamboanga del Norte) from November 11 to 15, Dakila Carlo Cua (Quirino) from November 10 to 22, Mark Villar (Las Pi?as) from November 11 to 15, Gina de Venecia (Pangasinan) from November 8 to 14, Amado Bagatsing (Manila) from November 10 to 20, Rodel Batocabe (Ako Bicol party-list) from November 9 to 16, Alfredo Garbin, Jr. (Ako Bicol partylist) from November 11 to 19, Joel Duavit (Rizal) from November 2 to 15, Roberto Puno (Antipolo) from November 10 to 17, Albee Benitez (Negros Occidental) from November 8 to 17, Renato Unico, Jr. (Camarines Norte) from November 8 to 19, and Czarina Umali (Nueva Ecija) from November 12 to 22.
?Some possibly will simply go on their own,? he added.
In an interview last week, Belmonte said at least 50 congressmen sought travel authorities, although he could not confirm whether all of them were US-bound.
A separate Philippine Daily Inquirer report said that 54 congressmen would watch based on a list provided by the camp of Pacquiao in the US.
Several lawmakers such as Palawan Representative Antonio Alvarez left in late October during recess, but stayed in the US for the fight.
Alvarez, in a phone interview, confirmed he was in San Francisco and would fly to Dallas for the Pacquiao bout.
Antipolo Representative Robbie Puno said he accompanied his wife, newscaster Chiqui Roa-Puno, who would cover the bout.
Representative Mark Sambar of the PBA partylist also confirmed that he would watch the fight.
Pacquiao will pay for the tickets of lawmakers who would watch his fight against Mexican Antonio Margarito for the super welterweight title at the Cowboy Dallas Stadium on November 13 (November 14 in Manila).
Congress resumed session from a month-long break last November 8. Its first agenda was the proposed P1.645-trillion budget for 2011, which was approved on third and final reading.
Belmonte said the congressmen who would watch the bout would miss the session on November 15, if they returned immediately to the country.
November 16 was declared a special non-working holiday.
Melinda de Jesus, executive director of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), said the public should be informed who among the congressmen were going.
?I don?t think Congress is in recess, it?s a working day for them so where the taxpayers? money is going is a matter of public concern,? she said in a phone interview.
?Even if they say that they?re spending their personal money, their salaries are paid for by the people, and it?s also a reflection of Congress as a body,? she added.
De Jesus also said that Pacquiao should consider giving up his boxing career now that he has been elected a lawmaker.
?The basic question is why elect a person who can?t serve full time. I am supportive of all his efforts for this bout, but if he can?t give up his career, then maybe he should reconsider,? she said.
