Former Senator Seeks Suspension Of Pacquiao As Congressman For Higher Priority To Boxing Over Lawmaking
Former Philippine Senator Rene Saguisag asked the leaders of the Philippine House of Representatives to either suspend or remove Sarangani representative Manny Pacquiao for treating his work in Congress as just a hobby.
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Saguisag, a known human rights lawyer, chided Pacquiao for giving higher priority to preparations for his boxing matches than legislative tasks. He pushed for sanctions against the eight-division title holder especially now that there's news of a planned match between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr on May 2, 2015.
He said if the reports are true that the dream match would take place, "It seems only proper for the House of Representatives to decide what it will do with someone contending for the title 'House Top Absentee.'"
While based on House records Pacquiao was present only 55 percent of the time, Saguisag erred because the one with the most absences is former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is now Pampanga representative and could not be physically present because she is under house arrest in a hospital.
Pacquiao is only 6th in terms of absences, according to GMA. He was absent for 31 out of 69 session days for Congress's first regular session from July 22, 2013 to June 11, 2014.
A party mate and fellow congressman, Toby Tiangco, defended Pacquiao's attempt to upper cut the boxer's legislative career. Tiangco pointed out that when Sarangani voters went to the polls and placed Pacquiao's name on the ballot, they were aware that he is a boxer and needs to allot time for his sports career too.
He added that Pacquiao may not be present all the time in the House sessions, but he still continues to serve his constituents who approaches him wherever the boxer-cum-lawmaker is for their concerns.