Gordon perplexed by Pacquiao absence during corruption probe he initiated

Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon on Sunday was perplexed by Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao's call for a probe on alleged corruption in the government when he would not be present for the investigation.

According to Gordon, he was informed of a proposal for the Blue Ribbon Committee to investigate corruption allegations on the Departments of Health (DOH), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Energy (DOE).

Gordon, who chairs the Blue Ribbon Committee, said he was also made aware that the senator — who remained unnamed in his statement — who filed for the resolution would be out of the country after the filing.

“What will be strange, if not irregular however, in this situation will be the reality is while the accuser has made an accusation, he opts not to be present when the investigation is supposed to be conducted,” Gordon said.

“The gauntlet had been thrown down, he has chosen to pick it up. He who has picked it up cannot suddenly leave and ask someone else to wage the fight in his stead,” he added.

Pacquiao over the weekend claimed he had documents proving corruption in several government agencies, which will be forwarded to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for a formal investigation.

Pacquiao and President Rodrigo Duterte have been at odds over the past week over the corruption allegations, with Duterte lashing out at the lawmaker for his supposed criticisms.

The senator, also the eight-division world boxing champion, has a scheduled match against welterweight champion Errol Spence in Las Vegas on August 21. He is scheduled to depart this weekend to train in the United States for the match.

“We are elected public officials, first and foremost. Our primary duty is service to those who have voted us into office. Any other duty, especially to the self, must always come second,” said Gordon. — DVM/AOL, GMA News