Pacquiao missing Congress sessions not an issue (4:16 p.m.)

MANILA -- A few session days missed in Congress for Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao won't be taken as a big deal by the House leadership.

"He may not be present here but his doing a great service for the country," House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte told reporters of Pacquiao, who is also serving as the congressman of the lone district of Sarangani.

The pound-for-pound king left his duties at the House of Representatives and went on leave to attend press events for his upcoming November 13 fight with Antonio Margarito of Mexico. He missed three session days this week.

Pacquiao is set to return next week but will likely miss more session days and committee meetings when he starts his training on mid-September.

The Sarangani congressman is the vice-chair of the committees on youth and sports development and millennium development goals. He is also a member of eight other committees including national defense and security, and public information. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)