Pacquiao asks House Speaker: Make me chairman of OFW affairs committee

Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao met with Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Monday afternoon to ask for the chairmanship of the House committee on overseas workers affairs.

The post for the 35-man panel was vacated by former Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello, who resigned from his post several months ago.

Pacquiao, now on his second term, is the committee’s senior vice chairman.

Former Ilocos Sir Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson and Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento accompanied Pacquiao to the closed door meeting.
 
House sources said it was Sarmiento who arranged the meeting upon the request of Pacquiao, who is reportedly "so keen" in getting the panel chairmanship.

In an interview with GMA News, Pacquiao said he wants to get the committee chairmanship so he can maximize his assistance to the overseas Filipino workers community.
 
Emerging from the meeting, Pacquiao said the matter is now up to Speaker Belmonte. “Nasa kanyang (Belmonte) desisyon iyon. Sinabi ko naman sa kanyang interesado ako. I believe na malaki ang maitulong ko pag nandiyan ako. Makatulong sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.
 
Should he succeed in getting the post, he will immediately convene the committee and look into the situation of OFWs in various parts of the world, Pacquiao said.

He also plans to visit Mary Jane Veloso who is facing the death penalty in an Indonesian jail for drug trafficking.
 
“I think makakatulong ako nang malaki pag nandiyan tayo, pag binisita ko sila doon,” Pacquiao said.

Lack of experience

However, former committte chairman Bello belittled Pacquiao’s capability to head the committee.

Bello said aside from the boxer's poor attendance, the Saranggani lawmaker lacks experience to lead the committee.
But Pacquiao argued that he can lead the committee. “Kung experience lang ang pag-uusapan siguro, hindi naman siguro tayo behind diyan, especially pagdating sa mga OFW,” he said. 
In a text message to GMA News, Bello suggested the appointment of any of the following congressmen: Congressman Wesley Gatchalian (Alay Buhay), Roy Seneres (OFW Party), Batangas Rep. Raymond Mendoza, and Luzviminda Ilagan (Gabriela).
According to Pacquiao, Belmonte said he "will consider” the Saranggani solon’s request. In a text message to GMA News, meanwhile, Belmonte said there are “many candidates for the chairmanship.”
He did not say if Pacquiao is among those being considered for the post. - JJ/JST, GMA News

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