Comelec clears Pacquiao on health card freebies

The Commission on Elections said that Manny Pacquiao is not yet a candidate and has not violated the election law for giving away health and insurance cards to his fans in General Santos City, GMA News’ Saksi reported early Saturday. Pacquiao had denied that the insurance and health cards were meant to woo people to vote for him. “I want to help my people that is why I am giving them health and insurance cards," Pacquiao told Saksi in Filipino. The report said the card is worth P20,000 each. The people’s champ is gunning for a congressional post but he has yet to file his certificate of candidacy with the Comelec. The Comelec, meanwhile, said the rules against giving donations do not apply to Pacquiao because he is not yet a candidate. GMA News.TV