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Philippine elections body urged to stop Pacquiao fight

ASSOCIATED PRESS / OCT. 2015

In this Oct. 12 photo, Manny Pacquiao takes questions at the Asia Society in New York.

MANILA » 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.

17 responses to “Philippine elections body urged to stop Pacquiao fight”

  1. hawaiiyaks says:

    Manny’s in the ring trying to make a living, not as a candidate for Senate. Hope this complaint is dismissed.

    • HanabataDays says:

      In recent years Manny’s fights have come half a year to a year apart. His last fight was in May 2015 so this one is a bit less than a year later. It could easily be postponed till after the election on May 9, so the strategy and timing is pretty obviously intended to boost his election chances.

      His take from the Mayweather fight was ~ $150 million so he hardly needs this fight to pay the mortgage.

  2. Tita Girl says:

    “…flout the fair elections law.” There’s a fair elections law in The Philippines?

  3. whs1966 says:

    Nothing is preventing the protesting candidates from getting into the ring.

  4. taka16 says:

    All because he took a stand against gays. #VoteKaaihue #VoteHawaii

  5. ready2go says:

    Another circus ring show?

  6. Usagi336 says:

    Everyone in the Philippines and the World already know who Manny is. Who is Walden Bello? I’d say that battle is already lost.

  7. mikethenovice says:

    Mouth will always get you into trouble. Mum’s the word is a better self policy.

  8. mikethenovice says:

    In this new age of coddling, we have to prevent hurting anyone else’s feelings.

  9. Mei mei says:

    no need…. he needs a good bash to the head, to receive some sense!

  10. GorillaSmith says:

    It might be fun to see Trump and Bernie square off in the ring.

  11. justmyview371 says:

    Bello is a loser!

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