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Darlene will not bar airing of Pacquiao-Solis fight


Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio on Tuesday denied reports that she will prevent the airing in South Cotabato of Manny Pacquiao's upcoming fight against Mexican fighter Jorge Solis. Antonino-Custodio also told RGMA radio in General Santos City that she is not aware of lawyer Sixto Brillantes' petition to ban the airing of the fight. The report quoted Antonino-Custodio as saying that Brillantes is not her lawyer. Brillantes on Tuesday said Antonino-Custodio will ask the Commission on Elections to prevent the airing of the fight in the province. Pacquiao will run against Antonino-Custodio in the congressional race. Earlier on Tuesday, the Genuine Opposition said it "unqualifiedly supports" the airing of Pacquiao's bout against Solis on April 15. "It is nothing short of a right for Filipino sports fans to see Pacquiao's fight. We join the Filipino people in hoping for his victory and for him to bring glory once more to flag and country," GO spokesman Adel Tamano said in a statement. Pacquiao, the country's most popular sports icon, is an administration-backed candidate for a congressional seat in the first district of South Cotabato. The Pacquiao-Solis bout is set in Texas on April 15 (April 14 in the United States). The bout will be aired live in the Philippines over GMA-7 and Solar Sports. In the same statement, GO reiterated its support for Antonino-Custodio whom it said "is better qualified as a lawmaker to serve the country than Pacquiao, the politician." The opposition, however, warned against the airing of Pacquiao's election campaign advertisements during the bout's broadcast. "The airing of Pacquiao's campaign advertisements during the broadcast of the fight itself should not be allowed and would run counter to standing Commission on Elections guidelines on the matter," Tamano said. - GMANews.TV