Lawmakers irked by colleagues flying to Vegas for Pacquiao match

MANILA, Philippines — Two party-list representatives on Wednesday expressed dismay over their colleagues who are flying to Las Vegas in the middle of Charter change deliberations in the House of Representatives to watch the upcoming fight of Manny Pacquiao. In a text message to reporters, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said he found it “infuriating" that such action of his colleagues would delay Charter change hearings and then they would push for it once they are home. “It is no consolation that the absence of congressmen due to the Pacquiao fight will delay Charter change. In fact, it's more infuriating because in the end, nagpapasarap sila sa Las Vegas tapos ilulusot pa rin ang [they’ll enjoy in Las Vegas and then insist on] Charter change. So they'll have their cake and eat it too. Meanwhile, we who are left behind have nothing to do since there is no quorum," he said. Among the lawmakers who would fly to the US is House Speaker Prospero Nograles, the main proponent of Resolution 737, a measure seeking to amend the economic provisions in the Constitution. Nograles is also the main endorser of Resolution 1109 of Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, which sought to rewrite the Charter through constitutional amendment. But as far as the House Speaker was concerned, he saw nothing wrong with flying to the States because “it’s a weekend and non-session period." Nograles added that he never missed any Pacquiao fights and he was part of the boxer’s team. He did not elaborate. The Davao representative also defended fellow government officials who would watch the match between Pacquio and British boxer Ricky Hatton on Sunday, saying they never used government funds to finance their trip. Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III also rushed to the side of the congressmen who are mostly administration allies, saying “if they don’t have any work and if their intention in going to Las Vegas is to support a fellow Filipino there’s nothing wrong with that." Cibac party-list Rep. Joel Villanueva disagreed. He said even if the lawmakers are not using government money for their travel, they are still being paid taxpayers' money to attend to their work as members of the House of Representatives. "Why do they need to go be there (Las Vegas) when we have plenty of work to do?" he asked. - GMANews.TV