Drilon schools Pacquiao on ‘very basic’ concepts

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon schooled neophyte senator Manny Pacquiao on “very basic” principles when the two senators engaged in Round 2 of their debate on a proposed boxing commission on Wednesday night.

Drilon reiterated his opposition to Pacquiao’s proposal, saying the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) is already equipped to handle boxing and other combat sports.

Pacquiao, a world boxing champion, said Drilon did not seem to understand the sport of boxing and the danger it entails.

“Yes, I may not understand boxing in the manner that the gentleman understands it, but certainly we understand what government is all about,” said Drilon, a longtime lawmaker.

“I cannot understand how the creation of a separate boxing commission will save lives,” he added.

Pacquiao then went on to imply that Drilon has no “common sense.”

“To focus in one sport is not easy — it’s easy to say but it’s not easy to do especially GAB is handling more than 20 sports. How can you focus in one sport? We have common sense to understand that,” said Pacquiao, who conferred with his staff during the exchange.

Drilon interrupted Pacquiao, saying: “I have common sense.” Pacquiao then apologized to Drilon.

Pacquiao wanted to close the interpellation if they cannot agree on the relevance of the measure. Drilon reminded Pacquiao that there is no such thing as a “closure rule.”

Drilon then asked Pacquiao why the proposed boxing commission should be under the Office of the President. Pacquiao explained that the head of the boxing commission will be a presidential appointee.

“I hope I can convince the gentleman that the mere fact that a government official is appointed by the President is not a justification for the direct supervision of the President over a commission or an agency,” Drilon said.

“I think that’s very basic,” he added.

Drilon also asked why boxing is defined as an “industry” in the bill.

When Pacquiao argued that the sport was considered a business, Drilon said: “If it’s a business, why are we using public funds for the retirement of boxers?”

Before the interpellation was suspended, Pacquiao said he hopes Drilon will not “stop” the proposal.

Drilon reminded Pacquiao that he is only one vote out of 24 senators.

“I cannot stop the measure. I can only vote,” Drilon said.

Pacquiao’s proposal is so far supported by seven other senators including Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

The session of Congress will be adjourned from March 18 to May 1. —JST, GMA News