Blame the system and house leadership on Pacquiao’s absences

Blame the system and house leadership on Pacquiao’s absences

By Atty. Romulo B. Macalintal

Manny Pacquiao has been hit and criticized for his frequent absences in the House of Representatives (HR) and was advised by his colleagues “to be more active as Congressman.”

But since when has attendance in legislative sessions been seriously considered by both houses of Congress as the basis or standard of performance of a legislator?

The author with Manny Pacquiao

Since time immemorial, Congress has been lax or very lenient insofar as absences of its members are concerned. No member of Congress has ever been disciplined for being frequently absent in its sessions. Hundreds of laws had been passed without the required quorum in Congress that it has practically become a tradition in Congress to ignore or waive quorum in the passage of bills. Thus, there ought to be a law making make it a criminal offense for members of Congress to pass a bill without the actual attendance of the number of legislators to constitute a quorum. The constitution should likewise be amended making it an impeachable offense as a betrayal of public trust for a President to sign into law a bill knowing fully well that it was passed by Congress without the required quorum.

Hence, Pacquiao should not be blamed nor criticized for his many absences in HR’s sessions since absences by legislators have never been penalized, unlike in the case of an ordinary government employee who could be subjected to suspension or dismissal from service for habitual absences. In a word, the blame is on the system and the House leadership for not even lifting a finger against its absentee members.

Yes, Pacquiao was often absent during those HR sessions. But he was out there virtually risking his life and limb when he climbs the ring where he may die or be severely injured in his sincere effort to bring honor and pride to our country. Recent statistics show that “an average of 10 boxers per year have died from professional boxing matches” making it one of the most dangerous sports.

The same cannot be said of those legislators who likewise absent themselves from HR sessions or even to those who are always present but not performing to the expectations of their constituents. I would rather have a congressman like Pacquiao bringing pride and honor to our country while being absent from HR sessions than congressmen doing nothing for our country while attending or not attending sessions.

*The author is a boxing enthusiast. He personally met Muhammad Ali for two (2) hours on September 22, 1975, before the Thrilla in Manila fight, using as passport an old scrapbook containing clippings of Ali’s fights in the 60s when Ali was still known as Cassius Clay. Ali autographed most of those clippings.

Romy Macalintal with Ali on Sept 22, 1975 as Romy holds the scrapbook signed by Ali

July 7, 1963 Clippings signed by Ali on Sept 22, 1975