Pacquiao proposes ‘one-two' combo vs human trafficking

World boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday took his fight against human trafficking to the House floor by urging his colleagues to pass two bills addressing the problem.   In a privilege speech, Pacquiao described the passage of the proposed measures—the Anti-Trafficking in Persons bill and the Magna Carta for Domestic Workers—as the “one-two combination” that can “knock out” human trafficking, or the illegal trade of human beings for forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation.   He also urged the government to address poverty, which he called the “root cause” of the problem.   “Hindi magtatagumpay ang ating mga anti-poverty programs kung walang kaakibat na pagpapalakas sa kakayanan at pagpapataas sa antas ng kaalaman ng mga mahihirap nating kababayan upang sila mismo ang magpalaya sa kanilang sarili,” Pacquiao said.   The Sarangani congressman also called on the government to strive for Tier 1 ranking in the United States human trafficking watch list.   Last June, the US State Department removed the Philippines from its Tier 2 watch list, or the list of countries that do not comply with minimum standards against human trafficking, as identified by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA).   Countries with Tier 1 ranking “fully comply” with minimum standards set by the TVPA.   Two years ago, Pacquiao agreed to be the poster boy for the country’s campaign against human trafficking. - Andreo C. Calonzo/KBK, GMA News