Showing posts with label Philippine Congress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philippine Congress. Show all posts

PostHeaderIcon Wasteful RP Congress holiday after 50 representatives watched the Pacquiao-Hatton boxing match

5/06/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


There is something obscenely wrong 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 in Manila, the House of Representative had only 131 congressmen out 263 who reported for work. The number of lawmakers was too small to meet the quorum needed so they could work on the job.

“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 immaturely 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 most influential sports hero. Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales think going abroad to watch Pacquiao is a waste of money.

Not to mention airfare and hotel accommodation, a good seat close to the boxing rimg runs 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 the 20% of the lower house seems to care that the flu pandemic is at their door.

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. Photo Credit: Congress of the Philippines) =0=

RELATED BLOGS: “Manny Pacquiao: RP’s legendary boxer and what people say about him” Posted by mesiamd at 5/04/2009; "Pacquiao KOs Hatton in 2 Rounds" Posted by upibalonbicol at 5/03/2009; "50 Congressmen and the harm they do for watching Pacquiao in Nevada when the swine epidemic rages" Posted by mesiamd at 5/02/2009; "Pacquiao among Time Magazine’s most influential people of 2009" Posted by mesiamd at 5/01/2009; "Philippine Congress attendance drops to 100 out of 263 as Pacquiao-Hatton match draws near" Posted by mesiamd at 5/01/2009

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PostHeaderIcon Philippine Congress attendance drops to 100 out of 263 as Pacquiao-Hatton match draws near

5/01/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post


There is a reason to be proud of super boxing hero Manny Pacquaio. That’s why in spite of the money crunch brought by the recession, at least 50 Filipino congressmen will fly to Las Vegas to watch the sensational boxing battle between Pacquiao and Britisher Ricky Hatton on Saturday, May 2, 2009 (Philippine time.)

“I have never missed his fight. He is the pride of Mindanao and I am part of his team. I've never used government funds to watch all his previous fights, including now.”----House Speaker Nograles ABS-CBN )04/30/09)

It must really be exciting to be on the ringside to see Philippines’ fighter extraordinaire who inspires almost everybody fight in the MGM arena. But one wonders if the trip by the members of the House of Representative to the United States is worth their “personal money” which has a good chance of mixing with “public money.”

A trip abroad is expensive and the salary of these congressmen isn’t that much compared to the dollar earners. Besides they have expenses that spill as money paid for by the government. In a climate of corruption, they need to be honest. The public knows they are not rich and the people they serve are poor.

The attendance in the House or Representatives as of Wednesday dropped 62% with only 100 out of 263 members. Obviously showing lack of responsibility, no legislation or discussion helpful the nation could proceed. The charter change (Cha-cha) initiative by the congressmen were put on hold to give way to Pacquaio. Embarrassing, but true!

A Pacquiao-Hatton encounter, no matter how exciting, must not take precedence on duty at work. Abandoning the congress to watch a boxing match doesn't give a good signal. Those who take public service seriously take this as a black eye on the performance of congressmen, but almost almost no one protests.

The congressmen are even oblivious of the pig flu epidemic making rounds in America. With the swine virus on its way to become a full-blown pandemic, the congressmen should be taking the risk of travel seriously. Some members of the Obama entourage who went to Mexico last week manifested flu-like symptoms. A Mexican who shook Obama's hand reportedly died of the flu. As advised by health authorities, one should avoid non-essential trips these days, especially in the epicenter of the epidemic to avoid getting sick and transmitting the disease.

Pacquiao also worries of catching influenza. He is good to see in a giant screen, but the 50 congressmen can’t be dissuaded from the ringside. The Las Vegas boxing arena where a mix of Mexican and Americans will is just the right place for contagion to lurk and spread in the crowd. (Photo Credit: Philippine Affairs/ Congress of the Philippines)=0=

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