HOUSE Speaker Prospero C. Nograles Jr. has come to the defense of 20 or something members of the House of Representatives who are scheduled to fly to Las Vegas to watch Manny Pacquiao fight Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto on November 15.

Nograles, who is leading the exodus of the country's lawmakers himself to Sin City, assured the public the expedition will not hamper their work when Congress opens session on November 9.

The Davao City solon justified that if the traveling lawmakers are to miss a session during the Vegas trip, it will only be one day.

Sun.Star accepts donations for victims of Typhoon Ondoy

The Speaker further justified the expedition does not involve taxpayer's money as the lawmakers will use their own funds for the activity, although he refused to identify who are traveling with him.

There is absolutely no law, which prohibits lawmakers from travelling to Las Vegas and giving support to Pacquiao, specifically if the punching machine from General Santos City is eyeing a record seventh world crown in different weight categories. Cheering and extending moral support to Pacquiao in the biggest fight of his career is every Filipino's disposition.

But, there is something wrong with the excursion. The country's lawmakers are traveling at a time when their fellow countrymen are still reeling from the devastation left by a series of deadly typhoons. People lost their loved ones, thousands were rendered homeless and their livelihood gone as a result of the calamities that regularly hit our country.

How can the lawmakers expect the people to cheer them for the trip if they will spend huge amount of money for airfare, hotel accommodation and fight tickets when their constituents are suffering back home? Massive rehabilitation works are needed in typhoon-hit provinces and it is the job of the lawmakers to respond by passing the necessary bills needed for the entire repair.

As Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelie Fajardo puts it, lawmakers planning to go to Vegas should be sensitive enough to understand the plight of their constituents. "I think they are mature and responsible individuals, and they know their priorities," Fajardo was quoted as saying in one news report.

We just hope Fajardo is right. The lawmakers need not go to Vegas to cheer for Pacquiao against Cotto, as there are more pressing jobs to do in the typhoon-ravaged provinces of our land. It would be insensitive on their part if they just ignore their constituents in these most trying times just to savor the glittering lights of Las Vegas.

As for Pacquiao, he has our support. The entire Filipino people, though thousands of miles away from the venue of the coming ring battle, are hoping and praying for his victory.