Pacquiao attends voting on BBL; stays less than an hour  

For the second time since the start of the year, Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao showed up at the House of Representatives Monday and took part in the committee voting on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). 

 

Pacquiao, his right arm in a sling, walked into the House ad hoc committee on the BBL just as tension was filling the room due to lawmakers’ debate on which version of the Bangsamoro bill they should adopt.
 

His presence was acknowledged by panel chair Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who described him as the “hero of the Filipino people who won against [Floyd] Mayweather [Jr.].”

 

Pacquiao lost to Mayweather via unanimous decision in their highly-anticipated bout earlier this month in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

 

He underwent surgery a few days after the fight for his injured right shoulder, which he hurt during training. 

 

Lawmakers applauded and cheered as Pacquiao broke into a smile at Rodriguez’s statement. He then took a seat beside Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas.

Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo and Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao in today's vote on the #BBL @gmanews pic.twitter.com/6IJwNuBssn

— Joseph Morong (@Joseph_Morong) May 18, 2015

 

Pacquiao’s appearance marks the first time he attended a meeting of the House committee on the BBL, of which he is a member as a lawmaker representing a district in Mindanao. 

Pacquiao arrived at 2:15 p.m. He left the committee hearing shortly before 3 p.m.

 

During his stay, Pacquiao voted for the adoption of Misamis Occidental Rep. Henry Oaminal’s motion to adopt the so-called “Chairman and Vice Chairpersons’ Working Draft” of the proposed law.

He also voted against the proposal of Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat to the BBL’s preamble to insert 'internal' before the word self-determination.

 

Amid discussions, Pacquiao was seen bantering and taking photos with Fariñas, YACAP party-list Carol Jayne Lopez, Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab and Quezon City Rep. Jorge Banal. 

 

Pacquiao is known as one of the top absentees in the 16th Congress, showing up for work only four days last year.

 

In February, he attended a plenary session for the first time this year. There was no quorum that day as not enough lawmakers were present. - JJ, GMA News