Pacquiao has 4 laws in his name

MANILA, Philippines – As he transitions from congressman to senator, boxing champion Manny Pacquiao can claim authorship and co-authorship of four laws.

There is only one law of which he is sole author: Republic Act 10828, which President Aquino signed last May 19.

The law is titled, “An Act establishing a regular district office of the Land Transportation Office in the province of Sarangani and appropriating funds.”

Pacquiao represents Sarangani in the House of Representatives.

The law mandates the secretary of transportation and communications “to include in the department’s program the operationalization of the regular district office of the LTO in the municipality of Alabel, province of Sarangani, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.”

Since the law has just been signed, it is doubtful if there are funds in this year’s budget to establish the LTO-Alabel unit.

House records show that he is co-author of three other laws.

These are: Republic Act No. 10777 – An Act declaring Sept. 1 of every year a special nonworking holiday in the province of North Cotabato in commemoration of its founding anniversary; Republic Act No. 10679 – An Act promoting entrepreneurship and financial literacy program among the Filipino youth by instituting mechanisms and strategies; and Republic Act No. 10699 – An Act expanding the coverage of incentives granted to national athletes and coaches and appropriating funds, repealing for the purpose Republic Act No. 9064, also known as the National Athletes, Coaches and Trainers Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001.

Pacquiao is one of the top absentee congressmen. – With Janvic Mateo