Manny Pacquiao Fight News: Pacman a Champ in the Ring, But Always Absent as a Congressman

Boxer and Philippine congressman Manny Pacquiao might have bitten off more than he can chew.

Inquirer reported that Pacquiao, who is a congressman representing Sarangani province in the Philippines, only showed up for 4 out of 34 session days, spanning from January 20 to December 17, 2014. He was labeled as the most absent congressman in the country, together with Negros Occidental representative Julio Ledesma IV with only seven session attendances. Technically, Pacquiao attended seven sessions in all, since his absence for three days was excused.

Based on Section 70 of the House rules, excused absence include the following:

Members who are attending committee meetings as authorized by the Committee on Rules, in accordance with Section 35 hereof, upon written notification to the Secretary General by the concerned committee secretary;

• Members who are attending meetings of the Commission on Appointments;
• Members who are attending meetings of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal;
• Members who are attending meetings of bicameral conference committees; and
• Members who are on official mission as approved by the Speaker.

Based on the records of the Philippine House of Representatives, Pacquiao registered two unexcused absences and spent 25 days doing constituency work.

After gaining huge popularity as boxer, Pacquiao's schedule started to tighten. He is also currently a part-time actor, model, singer, basketball coach and entrepreneur. In 2014, the eight-division champion fought and won twice, against Timothy Bradley in April and Chris Algieri in November.

GMA Network reported that due to Pacquiao's poor attendance record, former Senator Rene Saguisag requested House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. in November 2014 to suspend Pacquiao from the House of Representatives until his term expires in 2016. According to Saguisag, Pacquiao does not take his public duty seriously and treats it only as a "hobby or sideline".

Low attendance has been a problem in the House in 2014, since the chamber needed to pass several important measures, including a P2.6-trillion national budget for 2015. In the end of 2014, a number of house leaders were trying hard to approve the said budget but low attendance threated to prevent its approval, spurring opposition legislators to question the quorum in the House. In 2014, there were 70 session days total but a roll call was only done for 34 days. There was lack of quorum during the other day.

Pacquiao is currently busy trying to make a mega-fight happen between him and Mayweather on May 2, based on a report by Yahoo Sports. The boxer/congressman will most likely still be in the list of most absent congressmen in 2015.