Wednesday, January 24, 2007 Comelec exempts Manny Pacquiao from gun ban
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday excused boxing champion Manny Pacquiao from the gun prohibition.
Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer said it is obvious that Pacquiao needs protection as well as his family because of his winnings during his recent fight against Mexican boxer Erik Morales and from previous bouts.
“I approved it by myself,” Ferrer told reporters at the sidelines of the meeting between the Comelec, the Department of Education and the Department of Justice.
He said Pacquiao, being a “high-profile personality and “living in a troubled area,” is enough reason to approve his 20 applications for exemption from the gun ban.
Reports earlier said Pacquiao and his family are the targets of kidnappers.
Aside from Pacquaio, certain known personalities are seeking exemption from the gun ban but he declined to give their names.
The gun ban took effect last Jan. 15 when the election period started.
As of yesterday, Ferrer said they have received about 17,000 applications for gun ban exemption and 6,000 have been approved, belonging mostly to police and military personnel while 700 to 1,000 applications were rejected.
Meanwhile, there is no need for the applicants to be physically present when submitting their application as long as they comply with the documentary requirements and accomplished the forms.
He said two personnel from the PNP and two others from the Armed Forces evaluate the applications, which are then submitted to his office for final approval. (Sunnex)
