Comelec OKs airing of Pacquiao-Solis fight

Filipino boxing fanatics will be able to watch Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao slug it out with Mexican fighter Jorge Solis after the Commission on Elections, in an en banc session, allowed the airing of the boxing match, radio dzBB reported Thursday. The same report said the Comelec will release its resolution Friday. The poll body also allowed the airing of the commercials and product endorsement of Pacquiao but only in Metro Manila to prevent him from gaining undue advantage over his political opponents. In an interview with dzBB, Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos said the sparring sessions of Pacquiao can be aired as these were considered as legitimate news. "Even at General Santos, pwedeng ipalabas ang sparring huwag lamang yung laban niya noong mga una pa," Abalos said. Earlier, Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio denied reports that she will prevent the airing in South Cotabato of Pacquiao's upcoming fight. 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. Pacquiao will run against Antonino-Custodio in the congressional race. 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 Genuine Opposition earlier 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. The Pacquiao-Solis bout is set in Texas on April 15 (Manila time). The bout will be aired in the Philippines over GMA-7 and Solar Sports. - GMANews.TV