Pacquiao authors 7 bills despite many absences

July 6, 2011
MANILA — Taking his match from the boxing ring to Congress may seem like a walk in the park for Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao, as he proved why he deserves to be called “The People’s Champ”.
Despite his numerous absences in the House of Representatives’ sessions, the eight-division world champion and lone district representative of Sarangani province has authored seven measures and co-authored 32 bills, according to the legislative information system.
The neophyte lawmaker is the vice chair of three House panels, including the committees on millennium development goals, poverty alleviation, and youth and sports development. He also holds 12 other committee memberships for the majority coalition.
Promising better lives for the people of Sarangani, Pacquiao filed House Bill No. 2379, which seeks to establish a tertiary provincial hospital in his province, to be named as the Sarangani Provincial Hospital. The proposed legislation is pending with the House committee on health.
In his first privilege speech, Pacquiao said education, livelihood, and health would remain his top priorities.
“I know what it feels like without a home, without food. I know what it’s like to go hungry. That was me for the first-half of my life,” he said.
The pound-for-pound king also filed measures that would prohibit cellphone companies from sending unsolicited material to its subscribers via short message service (SMS), establish breast care centers in every region nationwide, and institute policies to eliminate trafficking in persons, especially women and children. All of these are still pending in the committee level.
Pacquiao also impressed his colleagues for debating with Minority Leader Edcel Lagman on the controversial reproductive health bill.
Although heavily criticized in social networking sites Twitter and Facebook for what seemed to be a scripted line of questioning, Pacquiao managed to gather applause from the critics of the RH measure — especially from leaders of the Catholic Church.
Pacquiao, fourth among six siblings and has four children, said the RH bill would not solve poverty and opposed the budget to be allocated for the implementation of the measure.
He also supported House Bill 13, otherwise known as “An act providing for the safety and protection of the unborn child” filed by Paranaque Representative Roilo Golez.
While he worked as a legislator, Pacquiao also managed to emerge victorious in two boxing matches during the first regular session of the House.
Pacquiao had to miss plenary sessions for training and press tours on his successful bouts against Antonio Margarito in November 2010 and Sugar Shane Mosley last May. Despite his absences, Pacquiao received his full salary and allowance as a member of the House. After all, he is representing the Philippines.
“Kung absent ka dahil may date ka, hindi okay iyun (If you miss session days because you have a romantic date, it not okay). Kung absent ka dahil you uphold the dignity of the country, walang problema doon (If you miss session days because you uphold the dignity of the country, well, it’s not a problem),” House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. says in Pacquiao’s defense.
But Pacquiao would not go unscathed from controversies even while training for his boxing matches — especially when former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez was a subject of an impeachment case.
Last March, the House impeached Gutierrez with a vote of 212-46 and four abstentions.
Pacquiao was not missed from the impeachment voting after he went on Twitter posting in his account “I vote NO! and I can give my explanation thanks” and “I’m watching impeachment trial very interesting topic good night everyone thanks”.
He also replied to a Twitter user, @momblogger, “e di mag reklamo ka doon sa lolo mo hahahaha thanks”.
After getting negative responses for his tweets, Pacquiao had to throw in the towel saying “Sorry everyone but hanggang dito nalang delete ko na account ko thank you very much to all your support”.
For his boxing victories, Pacquiao has been the recipient of congressional honors, including the Congressional Medal of Distinction and the Quezon Service Cross.
Dealing with the House media also wasn’t all easy even for Pacquiao.
In December 2010, Pacquiao’s staff and security aides were involved in a squabble with a reporter and television cameramen during a press conference, which the congressman organized.
While the cameramen were trying to get a shot of Pacquiao, the boxer’s bodyguard prevented them and even tried to draw his weapon in front of the reporters, a move that didn’t sit too well among reporters.
Whatever the people of Sarangani feel about the incident and his tweets, one thing is sure: they will nevertheless be expecting more from “The People’s Champ” as he enters another year in Congress when the second regular session starts July 25.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/07/06/pacquiao-authors-seven-bills-despite-many-absences-165213

Wine is becoming increasingly popular in Manila and other cities in the Philippines. Wine lovers in Manila travel to the north to visit Clark, Pampanga to shop for good and rate vintage wines at good duty-free prices. The most frequently visited liquor shop in Manila and wine shop in Pampanga is Clark Wine Center. This highly recommended wine shop located outside Manila near Angeles City, Pampanga in North Luzon is known for offering a great selection of fine vintage wine that is good quality and good value for money also.

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Famous Philippines wine supplier known for its line of fine vintage wines, Yats Wine Cellars was established in 2000 to address the requirement of a growing population of wine enthusiasts in the Philippines. This 5-star wine shop caters to the discerning client who requires these qualities in their wines: (1) excellent value, (2) large selection of labels and vintages to choose from and (3) wines properly aged for full enjoyment.

Public wine tastings are held from time to time in Clark and sometimes in Manila. Tickets range from p500 to p1500 for these themed events that are professionally run –no wine merchants sponsorship, pushy salesmen or tacky banners to ruin the evening. Each ticket contains a certain number of stubs that can be redeemed for a tasting pour of a wine among those on a line-up which often contains wines that are quite old and expensive.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com