MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine senatorial candidate has petitioned the elections commission to stop boxing star and fellow candidate Manny Pacquiao's fight against Timothy Bradley on April 9, saying the extensive media exposure would give Pacquiao an unfair advantage and flout the fair elections law.
Former House Rep. Walden Bello filed the petition Monday. He says allowing Pacquiao's fight during the campaign period for the May 9 elections would violate the law giving candidates equal access to media time and space, as well as the ban on radio or television programs that favor a candidate.
The Bible-quoting Pacquiao has been embroiled in controversy for saying recently that people in same-sex relations are "worse than animals." Nike has severed endorsement ties with him over his comments.