HOUSE Speaker Prospero Nograles assured the public any pending bills will not be put on hold when congressmen fly to the US to watch the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto boxing match.

“We will finish, as a matter of fact, if we have the quorum today (Monday), tomorrow and Wednesday, we will finish all of these things,” he said.

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The Speaker said that the third reading for the 2010 budget will be accomplished within the week. “As long as we have the warm bodies, we'll do it and all of the things that are pending, we will finish them this week.”

He also denied reports that 50 congressmen will watch the Pacquiao-Cotto fight.

On Monday, Nograles said no congressman is authorized to watch and that he has disapproved any requests for official travel because the House has just resumed session.

Nograles said that like everyone else, congressmen have freedom of movement.

“Nobody can stop them from moving around especially if they're going on their own. If they're not using public funds, they can be absent from the congress for a day or two,” he said.

He clarified that no congressmen will watch the boxing icon’s bout on an official travel.

Apart from Nograles, only Representative Jack Duavit of Rizal confirmed that he will be watching the fight.

Representative Monico Puentevella of Bacolod City meanwhile has announced that he is not going to the US for the match.

Nograles said he will use his regular passport and pay for airfare by using his airline mileage.

Other congressmen will use their regular passports also if they watch the fight, he added.

The Speaker will be leaving for the US Friday. He "will probably" miss Monday session, the 'privilege hour' and be back early morning Tuesday.

“That's my plan. I hope Pal (Philippine Airlines) can arrange that I sit next to Aling Dionisia,” Nograles quipped.

Aling Dionisia is boxer Manny Pacquiao's mom, who has also ventured into showbusiness.

On the issue of sensitivity in light of the recent typhoons which left thousands of Filipinos homeless, Nograles said: "If I talk to Pacquiao, I will tell him, 'You're winnings are big anyway. Maybe you can donate some of it to the victims.” (Angela Casauay/Sunnex)