COMMISSION on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Andres Bautista admitted that the COMELEC might not have the authority to stop the fight of Manny Pacquiao with Timothy Bradley in April.
These amid petitions questioning how campaign rules would apply to the Filipino boxing champ, who is eyeing a senate seat.
In a press briefing, Bautista said he personally believed that the COMELEC, despite having omnibus election powers, could not stop the boxing match from taking place at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 9.
He said, the fight has to be distinguished from the fact that it is being broadcast in the Philippines adding that he personally believes that COMELEC can’t prohibit Pacquiao from boxing because that is his profession.
However, the COMELEC chief said that what the COMELEC may have control over would be the expected massive media coverage of the event.
Bautista’s comments were in reaction to the letter by former Senator Rene Saguisag to the COMELEC asking the commission to advise Pacquiao to reset his fight.
In his letter, Saguisag asked the COMELEC not to allow Pacquiao take advantage of possible loopholes in the law.
