Militants Slam AKB for Las Vegas Trip to Watch Pacquiao Fight

Legazpi (14 November) -- The militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Bikol (BAYAN-Bikol) hit Ako Bicol (AKB) party list representatives for leaving their distressed constituents in Sorsogon affected by the increased activity of Bulusan Volcano in order to watch Rep. Manny Pacquiao’s fight today.

AKB Reps. Rodel Batocabe and Alfredo Garbin Jr. were among the congressmen listed by House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte who asked for travel permits to the US covering the date of the Pacquiao match.

According to Tessa Lopez, public information officer of BAYAN-Bikol, “they could not have left at a worst time considering that Bulusan is about to erupt and that immediate assistance is needed by their constituents. It is as if they forgot that the volcano is acting up and the towns of Sorsogon are already covered with ash.”

“What type of representatives are these who would turn their backs on their constituents in their time of need? Aside from medical and financial assistance what these people need are the presence of their congressmen for moral support,” added the militant leader.

“It is really disheartening to know that we have these types of leaders that would say and do anything just to get elected and leave the people who placed them there afterwards,” Lopez furthered.

Earlier, a Catholic bishop from Marbel criticized lawmakers for wasting money by flying to Las Vegas and watching the boxing match.

Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez expressed dismay that the money wasted by lawmakers in making the trip could have been spent for the poor; the prelate also questioned Rep. Pacquiao’s dedication to his duty as lawmaker when the latter is busy with boxing.