The woes continue to suddenly crop up for Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.
After being hit for that controversial gay remarks, he has been hit by another row tied up with his political ambitions.
The matter was brought out into the open by lawmaker Walden Bello who, like Pacquiao, is running for a senatorial seat in the coming May national elections in the Philippines.
Bello has urged Pacquiao to forego his fight with Timothy Bradley Jr. in Las Vegas this coming April 9, a month before the actual elections take place.
He singles out that Pacquiao would be getting a big advantage in terms of media mileage over the rest of aspiring candidates with the publicity from the upcoming tiff.
Technically such has indeed happened, with many news outlets mentioning Pacquiao's political bid as the reason why his fight with Bradley would be last. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and trainer Freddie Roach are, however, not marketing it as such since both are far from convinced that this will be the eight-time division's final bout.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will look into the matter and see if it does go against the implementing rules and regulations of the Fair Elections Act, according to local newspaper The Philippine Star.
However, the COMELEC made it clear that there is no assurance that this claim would hold up, calling it a gray area and citing the fact that Pacquiao is already popular in the country.
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal airs out that Pacquiao's upcoming fight and media mileage cannot be means to disqualify him from running for a senatorial seat. He points out via GMA News that there is no provision in the election laws that prohibits a candidate from participating in any sport.
The disqualification issue is not expected to be a big deal and hinder that farewell fight of Pacquiao. Even though the timing seems to be too perfect, it is seen by some as a ploy to gain some leverage on Pacquiao's end.
