THE Malacañang said it does not have the right to stop several congressmen and cabinet members to leave for the bout of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas next week.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said Tuesday that lawmakers do not need to seek permission from Malacañang if they want to watch Pacquiao’s bout.

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Reports said that at least 20 congressmen including House Speaker Prospero Nograles are planning to witness the much-awaited fight.

House Majority Floor Leader Arthur Defensor (Iloilo, 3rd District) in a radio interview urged his fellow congressmen not to leave due to some urgent bills that need to be passed as session resumes on November 9.

As this issue developed, Fajardo said they will just leave this matter to the Congress.

“When it comes to the lawmakers, they do not need to ask permission from the Malacañang if they will be watching the fight of Manny Pacquiao. I think we need to leave that (matter) to the leadership of the Congress,” she said in the vernacular.

With regards to the cabinet officials who are said to be watching the same event, Fajardo said the Palace is certain that these officials are diligent to their work.

“I am not aware of the Cabinet officials who would be watching the game of, I mean the fight of Mr. Manny Pacquiao but I think they are matured and responsible individuals and they know their priorities and we do not need to remind them of that,” she said.

Fajardo, meanwhile, expressed luck for the Filipino boxing champ in his upcoming fight. “We just wish Manny Pacquiao well and we are praying for him. We hope that he knows that his kababayans are all supporting him.”

Pacquiao and Cotto are set to have a hard fight on November 14 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)