Bello files complaint vs Pacquiao

Former Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Independent senatorial candidate Walden Bello on Monday formally asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to compel boxer and fellow candidate Manny Pacquiao to postpone his coming fight with Timothy Bradley.

In a seven-page petition, Bello said the extensive media exposure Pacquiao would get from his fight on April 9, coincidentally a month before election day, would give the boxer undue advantage over the other candidates and violate the Fair Elections Act.

In an interview with reporters, the former Akbayan representative clarified that his petition was not to disqualify Pacquiao from the senatorial race but for the Comelec to take action on the unlimited airtime the boxer would be getting during the campaign period.

Bello particularly pointed out that the pay-per-view arrangement that will show Pacquiao’s fight would give him nationwide and international exposure, which he said could be interpreted as undue advantage given a candidate running for a national position.

Extensive media exposure

“Bearing in mind the stature of Mr. Pacquiao and his previous boxing bouts, which were covered widely by the media, this scheduled bout will surely give him extensive media exposure, giving him a distinct advantage over the other senatorial bets,” Bello said.

He pointed out that the implementing rules and regulations of the Fair Elections Act provided clear and detailed requirements and limitations on the use of election propaganda through mass media to allow all candidates and parties equal access to media time and space during the campaign period.

Comelec Resolution No. 10049 prohibits showing publicly in a theater, through a TV station, or any public forum any movie, cinematography or documentary, including concert or any type of performance, portraying the life or biography of a candidate.

It also prohibits any radio, television, cable TV station, announcer or broadcaster from allowing any program or any sponsor to favor or oppose any candidate or party by repeatedly mentioning his name or his party.

Mere sideline

Bello also noted that when one’s profession or occupation entails constant projection before the mass media—like a TV anchor, commentator or radio broadcaster— he or she must go on leave during the campaign period as mandated by law.

The former lawmaker pointed out that professional boxing was Pacquiao’s main livelihood and that his being a congressman was a “mere sideline as he does not even attend sessions in Congress.”

“When he exercises his boxing profession during the campaign period, he is then unduly taking advantage of the profession to enhance his senatorial candidacy,” he added.

Bello said the Comelec should put the situation under intense scrutiny, and take action under its mandate to enforce, administer election-related laws and ensure the regulations are appropriately followed.

In an interview with reporters, Bello said the “best resolution” to the issue was for Pacquiao to voluntarily postpone his fight until after the May 9 election.

Bello said that as a candidate,  he would be disadvantaged. “I want a level playing field that everybody follows the Comelec rules on publicity,” he said.