MANILA, Philippines?At least 20 members of the House of Representatives, including Speaker Prospero Nograles, have left the country for points overseas, mostly the United States, beginning last week for meetings, vacations and, possibly, to watch the fight between Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Nov. 14 (Nov. 15 in Manila).

A source in the House said that with more legislators expected to leave on foreign trips this week, it was doubtful there would be a quorum when Congress resumes sessions on Nov. 9.

Nograles reportedly flew to Washington D.C. with five other congressmen for an engagement with their counterparts on Capitol Hill.

The source said that some lawmakers, like Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, might opt to stay in the US a few days longer to watch the Pacquiao-Cotto fight at the MGM Grand Arena.

A Pacquiao fight overseas has always attracted Philippine government officials who leave everything behind to see and be seen at the fight venue.

Completing a quorum in the House in the next session is also expected to be a problem as many of the lawmakers will be busy preparing for the filing of their certificates of candidacy for next year?s election which is at the end of the month. Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.