Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao’s upcoming fight against Mexican fighter Jorge Solis should not be aired in the province where he is running for congressman, the camp of South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio said Tuesday.
Custodio’s lawyer, Sixto Brillantes, said airing the fight in South Cotabato’s first district could unduly influence voters come election day. Pacquiao is challenging Custodio in the congressional race.
“What we are saying is that if ever there will be an [airing ban] it should be limited to the congressional area where he is a candidate,” Brillantes told ABS-CBN’s Magandang Umaga Pilipinas.
He said the congresswoman will decide on what petition to file before the Commission on Elections after Holy Week.
Brillantes said he will submit a letter asking COMELEC to advise broadcast networks and the print media in South Cotabato to stop airing or publishing advertisements of the fight. Aside from the news blackout, Custodio’s camp is also seeking a ban on the airing of Pacquiao’s product endorsements.
Pacquiao is facing Solis on April 14 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Pinoy pugilist filed his certificate of candidacy in absentia last week in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.
