MANILA, Philippines—He’s either a “robo-boxer” or a real champ.
A day after the “rumble” on the House floor on Wednesday between Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao and Minority Leader Edcel Lagman over the reproductive health (RH) bill, the world’s pound-for-pound king drew plaudits and brick bats.
“It was obvious that Pacquiao allowed himself to be used as a popular image of the anti-RH cause even if he is not aware of the RH bill and the issues around it,” said Ramon San Pascual, executive director of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development.
Pascual described Pacquiao a “robo-boxer” deployed by the Catholic Church as its poster boy in opposing the measure.
“He should get a better ‘trainer.’ The round goes to Lagman for parliamentary courtesy, patience and tolerance,” said Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan.
“He’s truly a champ! Very brave! It’s not easy to engage Lagman but he did and on the RH topic,” gushed Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing, himself an anti-RH advocate. “He burned the midnight oil to be able to interpellate with substance.”
“Whatever they say, it’s different when it’s Manny Pacquiao. Indeed a national treasure,” said San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito.
For most lawmakers, the interpellation was a ho-hum affair. They trickled out of the session hall, forcing an adjournment for lack of a quorum by the time Pacquiao was through with his 30-minute spiel covered live on national TV. Reports from Cynthia D. Balana and Jerome Aning