Solons to fly to Pacquiao fight despite Palace advice

Even though the Palace has advised against it, a number of congressmen will still fly to the US to watch the boxing match of Filipino champ Manny Pacquiao against Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto this coming weekend. House Speaker Prospero Nograles defended lawmakers, however, telling reporters Monday that the congressmen would be spending their own money for the trip.

"Like you (reporters), congressmen also have the freedom of movement, especially if they are going on their own," Nograles said. Nograles, who has never missed any of Pacquiao's big fights, said he himself will be leaving Manila Friday to watch the November 15 bout in Las Vegas. He said he would return to the country Tuesday next week, which will make him miss one Congress session. "I'm traveling on my own. I think ganun din iyung iba (others will do the same). There's no official travel (for congressmen)," he said. The House leader downplayed reports that up to 50 congressmen will watch the fight live. "That's far from the truth because there is no travel order signed (for the lawmakers)," he said. "But we can't stop anybody from moving around as long as they are spending their own money." Last week, deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said that while Malacañang cannot stop lawmakers from flying to Las Vegas, they should take into consideration that there are still several pending measures in Congress. [See: Palace dissuades lawmakers from seeing Pacquiao bout]. Fajardo added that these lawmakers’ presence in their respective districts will do wonders for their campaigns if they are planning to seek reelection in May 2010, since the country is still reeling from the effects of Tropical Storm Ondoy and Typhoon Pepeng. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV