Pacman goes to school

MANILA, Philippines – World boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao started attending yesterday a 10-day certificate course in Development Legislation and Governance at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) at Ortigas Center in Pasig City.

Pacquiao had enrolled at the DAP Graduate School of Public and Development Management to enhance his knowledge of good public governance to prepare for his congressional duties. The neophyte congressman would take up various modules that include Legislation in a Development and Governance Framework, the 1987 Constitution and Local Government Code of 1991, Understanding Congress (Local Government Code and Processes), Powers of the Congress and Roles, Functions and Duties of a Legislator, Parliamentary Procedures, The Legislative Cycle, Standing and Special House Committees, Sharing of Experiences, Individual Personality Integrated Leadership, National Budget Process, Development of Linkages between Congress and National Line Agencies, Utilizing the Priority Development Assistance Fund in Promoting Genuine Local Development, Liberal Party Philosophy of Governance, Environmental Scanning of Sarangani, and Legislation for Employment Generation in Sarangani.?Pacquiao arrived in Manila early yesterday from New York after receiving from the Boxing Writers Association of America the Fighter of the Decade Award.

“I was so excited and I arrived too early for my class sessions. I learned a lot, though it’s my first day back to school. I will do my best for my constituents and to erase Sarangani from being one of our country’s poorest provinces,” Pacquiao told The STAR.?Pacquiao said he would attend his 10-day course until graduation on June 25 with his wife Jinkee and some of his staff, after attending the classes of Dr. Gloria Mercado, DAP dean, Dr. Josie Banaglorioso of Ateneo, Prof. Gabby Lopez and other well known resource persons.?DAP president Tony Kalaw Jr. said the course will give Pacquiao a perspective of his role as a legislator and as a proponent of development in his province.?“It will arm the congressman and his team with the technical knowledge in carrying out their tasks, acquaint them with the processes and procedures in parliament and in the committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and provide facts and information from national and local levels that may be vital in the legislative agenda,” Mercado said.