MANILA -- Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao who will be greeted with a victory celebration here in the country should be mindful of campaign rules, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded Monday.
Pacquiao on Sunday (Philippine time) won his boxing bout against African boxer Joshua Clottey via a unanimous decision.
It has been a tradition for the government and other groups to welcome Pacquiao with a victory parade after his boxing matches abroad.
Pacquiao is running for a local position as congressman of Saranggani province in Mindanao.
“If it's a local candidate, it comes with the Supreme Court ruling in the Penera case they are not considered candidates for purposes of premature campaigning. Therefore they are not within the limitations of the law,” explained Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal.
The Filipino boxer, according to the commission, should not use the event as a means to campaign himself during the victory party for him.
But since candidates may be joining Pacquiao in his hero's welcome parade, the poll body also reminded national candidates that the campaign for their posts have already started and thus they should avoid politicizing during the event.
“If it's national candidates, obviously the campaign period has already started and they have to follow the rules,” the Comelec official said.
“We would advise candidates, both for local and national, to refrain from using this event meaning to say don't put streamers or materials that contain ‘vote for’ or any material containing the number corresponding to your name in the ballot. Spare the event from politics,” he furthered. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)