Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. of the Commission on Elections said Thursday that endorsements, documentaries and biography specials that have no connection with boxing idol Manny Pacquiao’s fight with Mexican Jorge Solis this weekend are prohibited from being aired on television.
Abalos said that Pacquiao, scheduled to fight the undefeated Mexican at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), has already gained media exposure for his upcoming bout.
The COMELEC en bacn has yet to issue a ruling following the petition filed by lawyer Sixto Brillantes with regard to Pacquiao’s TV commercials and documentaries.
The petition said it would be advantageous for Pacquiao if he will still have product endorsements while at the same time running a campaign for congressman in South Cotabato’s first district. The boxer is running against incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio in the May 14 polls.
Abalos said that Pacquiao’s pre-fight ad for a beer company is prohibited. The ad has Pacquiao and Mexican boxer Erik Morales endorsing a popular beer brand.
Abalos, however, said news reports about Pacquiao’s practice fights and the bout itself is not covered by the ban. He also suggested that TV networks should block broadcast feeds in areas where Pacquiao is campaigning.
The COMELEC chief said that should the parties involved insist on airing or publishing prohibited Pacquiao materials, the commission would run after the TV networks. “Di tirahin natin ang [TV] studios [We’ll run after the TV studios),” he said
GMA 7, the station that bagged the contract to air free TV rights for Pacquiao’s fight, declined to comment on the COMELEC’s decision.
