No stopping Manny's jet-setters...

BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR

MALACAÑANG cannot restrain government officials if they decide to fly to Las Vegas for the match between Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto on Nov. 15 (Manila time).

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said all they could do is remind everyone, including those in charge of approving travel orders and leaves, to be strict and conscious that these leaves and travels "should not just be spent for the purpose of watching such an activity."

"There is a need for us to be considerate of our resources. In my case for example, being the one authorized to issue travel authority, I will assure the public that I will not be very liberal in giving authorization for those asking to go just to see the fight of Pacquiao," he said.

Reports said deputy national security adviser Luis Singson filed an official leave for a medical checkup abroad. He’ll still be in the US by the time the fight is held.

Ermita said he is not aware about Singson’s plans but stressed Cabinet members, including elected officials, are entitled to seek official leave.

"That is one of the reasons that they can submit, they can go on leave, they’re entitled, they already earned that. So that’s one reason or baka naman meron silang tinapat na lang nila, meron silang medical check up sa Amerika, kanila na lamang, kanilang itinapat. These are possibilities, pero it’s not something you can tie a rope around their waist and say hey you cannot leave," he said.

Speaker Prospero Nograles defended himself and some congressmen who are expected to watch the bout in Las Vegas, saying they would miss only one session day which is Monday, when sessions resume after the Halloween break.

"Well I think the ones who will go Vegas are the regulars and will not miss sessions because they leave Thursday afternoon and be back Tuesday morning so they may miss only one session day, Monday, which is privilege hour day," he said.

Nograles is leading a House contingent to Washington to meet with counterparts in the US Congress to discuss areas of legislative cooperation on issues that affects both the US and the Philippines, such as the economy, peace and order and human rights particularly in Mindanao.

Nograles said he has no reason not to watch the bout because he has "never missed his (Pacquiao’s) fights."

"I am part of the team (Pacquiao) especially because he comes from Mindanao and has residence in my district in Davao," he said.

Nograles said he does not know how many congressmen will fly to Las Vegas because they will be spending their own money. – With Wendell Vigilia

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