Independent senatorial candidate Walden Bello formally filed a petition before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday, asking the poll body to study whether the boxing match between senatorial aspirant Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley will violate campaign rules.
Bello clarified that he does not seek the disqualification of the boxer-legislator but only wants the Comelec to strictly enforce the rules under Resolution No. 10049 and the Fair Election Act.
The former Akbayan representative has earlier urged the Sarangani lawmaker to take a leave from boxing as his fight falls during the campaign period.
He lamented that the coverage before, during and after the fight—which is supposedly Pacquiao’s last—will bring undue advantage for the boxer.
He said that the buildup around Pacquiao’s fight can be considered as a “political advertisement.”
“He should either postpone the fight, or risk being disqualified from the elections. I’m sure Manny understands the concept of sportsmanship and fair play,” Bello said in an earlier statement.
“No one should be above the law. He must reschedule this fight to after May 9, 2016,” he added. AJH/With reports from Jocelyn Uy, Philippine Daily Inquirer