MANILA, Philippines — Continuous replays of the Manny Pacquiao-Jorge Solis fight on cable television may violate Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Election Act, an election lawyer said Thursday.
“We want to know how long this replay will be. This gives an added advantage to Pacquiao against the other candidates,” lawyer Sixto Brilliantes said.
Brilliantes said they have no problem with regular television outfits because these have complied with rules barring them from airing advertisements and endorsements in South Cotabato, where Pacquiao is running for congress.
But cable television outfits, particularly Solar Entertainment Sports, are constantly airing the fight even where the boxing champion is seeking election.
“If the replay will continue, we will ask the Comelec [Commission on Elections] to order a stop to the replays,” Brillantes said.
The Fair Elections Act provides that all registered parties and bona fide candidates should have equal access to media time and space.
The law also provides guidelines for published and broadcast election propaganda.
Under the law, each candidate for national office shall be entitled to not more than 120 minutes of television advertisements and 180 minutes of radio ads.
The law also mandates the Comelec to “ensure that radio or television or cable television broadcasting entities shall not allow the scheduling of any program or permit any sponsor to manifestly favor or oppose any candidate or political party by unduly or repeatedly referring to or including said candidate and/or political party in such program respecting, however, in all instances the right of said broadcast entities to air accounts of significant news or news worthy events and views on matters of public interest.”
