Comelec’s 2007 ruling on Pacquiao may not apply in current case

MANILA, Philippines - A decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) restricting the broadcast of the fight of then congressional candidate Manny Pacquiao before the 2007 polls might not apply in the Senate hopeful’s bout with American Timothy Bradley on April 9.

According to Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, the commission is studying the 2007 case in dealing with the petition of former Akbayan congressman Walden Bello, who asked the poll body to determine if the Pacquiao-Bradley match would violate campaign rules.

“In 2007, we also had the same incident and definitely, the commission is studying if it can apply in the coming boxing match,” Jimenez told reporters. 

Bello had questioned Pacquiao’s upcoming fight, claiming that it entails extensive local and international media coverage, pay-per-view and product endorsements airing that will give him “distinct advantage” over his fellow senatorial bets.

In 2007, the Comelec had allowed the nationwide broadcast of Pacquiao’s fight against Mexican Jorge Solis. But the bout was not aired in South Cotabato where he was running for congressman.

Jimenez said the Comelec law department had made a recommendation concerning Bello’s petition and it will be discussed in today’s meeting of the full commission.

“In 2007, I guess apparently the most logical rationale would be it would provide an unfair advantage to him. But it’s been a long time since 2007 and it does not necessarily bind the commission,” he noted.

Jimenez said the Comelec will have to come up with its “own set of rules and justification for how it will treat this new case.”

He refused to ascertain whether or not the Comelec has the power to stop such an international boxing match but blocking its airing “might be a different story altogether.” 

“Remember that at that time Congressman Pacquiao was running for a lower position so there might be different circumstances, so obviously, there might be a different solution. I’m not in the position to preempt discussion tomorrow but certainly, those are factors that need to be considered,” he maintained.