Comelec Will Not Stop Pacquiao’s Fight

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will not stop the boxing match of senatorial candidate Saranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao against Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, USA next month.

Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista noted that there was no “justifiable controversy” on the match awaited boxing match between the Filipino boxing icon and the American boxer on April 9.

Bautista said that they were not in a position to stop the boxing event.

“We are not talking about allowing or stopping. As I said, there were the three things that we found – there was no formal complaint in accordance with the rules, the fight has not yet occurred… there is yet no justifiable controversy,” he said.

Earlier, Senatorial aspirant and former Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello and former senator Rene Saguisag filed a petition asking the poll body to determine if Pacquiao’s match violates election rules.

The petitioners said that the legislator should postpone the fight since it would give him an unfair advantage over other candidates.

The fight will be held a month before the May national and local polls.

Bautista said they were ready to take action once a complaint was filed questioning the Pacquiao-Bradley fight.

“As I’ve said that’s not really within our control…we are not in a position right now to stop it because of the three things that we just mentioned,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s lawyer, Atty. Romulo Macalintal said they respect the decision of the poll body.

“It’s better that way. The Comelec should presume that all concerned parties know their rights and obligations. Like other candidates, Pacquiao is expected to know and follow the rules,” he said.(PNA) RMA/FGP/EDS