source: abs-cbnnews.comMANILA, Philippines - "Sugar" Shane Mosley and the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Bill were just some of the topics discussed by President Benigno Aquino III and 8-division boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao during the congressman's courtesy call in Malacañang on Friday.
The President congratulated Pacquiao for his victory as Pacquiao shared stories of his fight against Mosley. Mosley’s “fighting in reverse” became a topic, Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
Valte said it was the President who opened the topic of reproductive health to explain his five-point position on responsible parenthood. Aquino also related to Pacquiao the story of a 16-year-old in Baseco who already had two children.
For his part, Pacquiao raised the same concerns he presented during an interpellation in the House of Representatives.
“[Pacquiao] did not say specifically that this is what I think of your five point-stand. But klaro po doon sa diskusyon na naintindihan po ni Congressman Pacquiao ang five-point stand ng Pangulo. Inulit po ni Pangulong Aquino na we do not favor one method over the other at wala pong magiging pilitan sa responsible parenthood,” Valte told reporters after the courtesy call.
“Kasi yun din ang concerns ni Congressman Pacquiao: Paano daw po yung mga magulang na ayaw naman pong ipa-undergo ang mga anak nila sa sex education?” Valte said.
Valte said Aquino and Pacquiao were both against abortion.
“In agreement po sila na hindi po pwede magkaroon ng abortion. The President and Pacquiao are both against abortion,” she said.
Did Pacquiao change his stand on RH after his meeting with the President? Was he able to convince Pacquiao to vote for the RH bill?
“I wouldn’t be able to judge. Siguro makikta na lang natin kung nagkaroon man ng pagababago sa kanyang paniniwala ‘pag bumoto na sila sa plenaryo,” Valte said.
Pacquiao also brought up concerns of his constituents like increasing the number of beneficiaries of PhilHealth and programs of the Department of Social Wefare and Development like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
After the meeting, Pacquiao gave the President a pair of autographed yellow gloves, a yellow shirt with the Pacman’s image and the words, “God,” “Glory,” and “Manny fights poverty.”
Pacquiao also gave the President an autographed gray Nike “MP” hoodie and DVD copies of his fight with Mosley. In exchange, Aquino gave Pacquiao two gift-wrapped tokens.
Pacquiao was accompanied by Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson, Rep. Miles Roces, and Wilson Tieng of Solar Entertainment Corporation, among others.
source: abs-cbnnews.com
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