Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The camp of senatorial candidate Manny Pacquiao said the eight-time world boxing champion has no plans of postponing his match with Timothy Bradley Jr. — despite criticism that it would give him an unfair advantage over the other candidates.
The Pacquiao camp argued that he must be allowed to fight “before his youth is gone.”
The 37-year old Pacquiao, through his lawyer Atty. Antonio Carlos Bautista, submitted his statement before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday (March 7).
He answered accusations from fellow senatorial candidate Walden Bello and former Sen. Rene Saguisag.
“Not only will it give hundreds of free time that are not allotted to other candidates, but it will be free time. So this constitutes a tremendous disadvantage to other senatorial candidates as well as to candidates for other office,” Bello said back in February.
Also read: Bradley match gives Pacquiao undue advantage, says senatorial candidate
Bello and Saguisag earlier asked the Comelec to make a recommendation on Pacquiao’s case. The Comelec ordered Pacquiao last Tuesday (March 1) to answer the petitions.
They said the media exposure Pacquiao will get from the match will exceed legal limits to campaign propaganda—and will give him far more mileage than other candidates.
Pacquiao’s lawyer said the Comelec has no authority to make recommendations.
He added, the Pacquiao-Bradley match will be a newsworthy event, and not political propaganda.
“Ang laban po ni Congressman Pacquiao ay hindi po political campaigning or partisan political activity.
The lawyer also argued that an average boxing match—minus advertisements—lasts only 36 minutes.
“Ang laban po ni Manny Pacquiao ay isang professional boxing bout. Ito ay magtatagal lamang ng 12 rounds na may three minutes per round. Kung susumahin niyo po ang three minutes na yan sa 12 rounds, ay yan lamang po ay 36 minutes. 36 minutes lang po, eh ang allowed po sa kanya ay 120 minutes,” Bautista said.
Also read: Pacquiao graces ‘The Ring’ magazine cover
The implementing rules of the Fair Elections Act allows national candidates 120 minutes of exposure per television station, and 180 minutes on radio also per station.
The Pacquiao-Bradley match is set on April 9 (Sunday, April 10, PHT) or a month before election day.
In 2007, the Comelec restricted the broadcast of a Pacquiao match in South Cotabato, where Pacquiao then ran for congressman.
Bautista claimed.
