Forced Congress Holiday After 50 Representatives Watched the Pacquiao-Hatton Bout

There is something eerie each time Manny Pacquiao comes to Las Vegas, Nevada to fight in the boxing arena. Last Saturday, just like his fight against Oscar de la Hoya, the match between him and Englishman Ricky Hatton was attended by 50 Philippine congressmen even if it lasted only for 3 minutes.

The next day, only 131 Philippine congressmen out 263 reported for work. The number of lawmakers was too small to meet the quorum needed so they could work on scheduled jobs.

“No matter how the alibis are turned inside and out among the congressmen, they would be in a bind in justifying to their constituents the need for going to Las Vegas while there is a lot of job to do at Congress.” ----Daily Tribune (05/06/09)

Many Filipinos are silent about their congressmen’s disruptive travels, but it is clear these elected officials are abusive. It’s so easy to see how wasteful and extravagant they are each time they go abroad to watch and be seen with RP’s influential sports hero. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales think going abroad to watch Pacquiao is a waste of money.

In spite of the swine flu scare, the lawmakers go to see boxing, risking their health and that of their people when they come home. It’s unlikely they will follow quarantine rules as prescribed by the health authorities.

A good seat in the boxing arena can run in the thousands of dollars, but the congressmen don’t mind of the expense. They like to think money is easy to find. Not one among them seems to care that the flu pandemic is at their doorstep.