Pacquiao
Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, who is running for Senator in the May 2016 national elections, speaks to supporters during the start of elections campaigning in Mandaluyong city, Metro Manila February 9, 2016. Reuters/Janis Alano

The fight between Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley could face broadcast restrictions in the Philippines as the bout, which is expected to be extensively covered on local TV, could violate the country’s existing campaign rules for the national elections.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the country’s poll body, is now set to discuss whether the telecast of Pacquiao-Bradley III on Apr. 9 in Las Vegas would have to be aired limitedly, reports Rappler. The move comes after Walden Bello, a Filipino also running for a senatorial seat in May against Pacquiao, claimed that Pacquiao’s fight against Bradley should be postponed until after the national elections in the country due to the “tremendous advantage” Pacman could garner over other candidates.

The COMELEC had imposed broadcast restrictions in Pacquiao’s hometown General Santos City during his fight against Jorge Solis in 2007. The poll body’s spokesman James Jimenez said they would consider the decision made nine years ago, but assured viewers there would not be a complete ban on Pacquiao’s last match in the boxing ring as it was a different case from the situation before.

“In 2007, I guess apparently the most logical rationale would be it would provide an unfair advantage to him. But it’s been a long time since 2007 and it does not necessarily bind the commission,” Jimenez said, reports the Philippine Star. “Remember that at that time Congressman Pacquiao was running for a lower position so there might be different circumstances, so obviously, there might be a different solution.”

However, Pacquiao’s camp does not seem to be fretting over any of the claims that threaten the Filipino’s political agenda and his upcoming boxing match. Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said there was nothing to worry about the “publicity gimmick” that Bello has been urging, instead insisting that their lawyers have guaranteed that all is good in staging the fight before the national elections.

“We’re not worried about it and it’s just a publicity gimmick,” Koncz said, reports the Manila Bulletin. “Our lawyers say there’s nothing to worry about.”

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