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Hero's welcome for Pacquiao not poll exposure - Comelec


The television coverage of the hero’s welcome for boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, who is also an administration-backed Congressional candidate, won’t be counted as election exposure, the Commission on Elections said. “You can’t count that against Pacquiao. That’s his right as a candidate, it’s not prohibited," Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos told reporters on Monday. He said it will only be counted as election exposure if Pacquaio is shown by television cameras beside people shouting at the crowd to vote for him. “If he is seen (beside people telling people to vote for him), that is counted," said Abalos, referring to the limit of 120 minutes television exposure for candidates. Pacquiao knocked out Mexico’s Jorge Solis in the eighth round on Sunday in Texas. The sports icon, backed by the Arroyo administration, is running against South Cotabato Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio, who is seeking a fresh three-year term. Abalos said the Comelec will require television stations to submit a log on Pacquiao’s election exposure during his fight with Solis and the hero’s welcome both in Manila and General Santos City. Asked if the media coverage and the public accolade on the boxing champ would be unfair for Custodio, who is running under the opposition, Abalos said: “If it’s unfair or not you have to be Pacquiao. I mean you should accomplish something to gain the merit of the people." -GMANews.TV

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