Pacman to rush home after Vargas fight

LOS ANGELES – Manny Pacquiao will not stay any minute longer here in the United States after his clash with Mexican-American Jessie Vargas on Nov. 5 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao said he will rush home to perform his duties as a senator.

“Uuwi agad ako after the fight,” he said here Sunday.

Pacquiao said he will board the first plane out of Vegas the day after the fight so he lands in Manila in the morning of Tuesday (Manila time) and attend the Senate session in the afternoon.

Session resumes Monday, and there’s no way for Pacquiao to be there, unless he knocks Vargas out in the first round, takes a quick shower and heads to the airport to catch an evening flight -- if there’s any.

Pacquiao said he will miss the first session on Nov. 7 after the Senate recess.

“One day absent ako. Hindi na siguro masama ang isang araw (I think one day missed it not too bad),” said Pacquiao.

The former congressman who was elected to the Senate last May had vowed never to miss any session in the Senate.

As a congressman, he was severely criticized for his absenteeism, and when he ran for the Senate he promised never to be absent on the Senate floor.

When he announced his retirement after his victory over Titothy Bradley last April, he said he wanted to devote his full attention to the Senate.

According to his public information officer, Aquiles Zonio, the eight-division champion has so far kept a perfect attendance as a senator.

Even when he had to train for this coming fight, Pacquiao made sure he was at the Senate for the afternoon sessions.

Pacquiao said there’s an important Senate deliberation on Tuesday. “Budget deliberation,” he said. Normally, Pacquiao stays a couple more days in Los Angeles after each fight, either to attend to some obligations, enjoy some time with his family or rest.

This time, he heads home the day after.