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BOXING champ Manny Pacquiao is a hero to many Filipinos, but he also now happens to be a candidate. Which is why the promotion of his upcoming bout with Mexican pugilist Jorge Solis is being cited as an "undue advantage" over opponent Darlene Antonino-Custodio. Here's an excerpt from INQUIRER.net reporter Erwin Oliva's Breaking News story, in which an election lawyer said Pacquiao's ads should only be banned in the district where he is running:

"I think we cannot ban the promotion of the boxing match of Pacquiao because it is of national interest. We cannot also ask for a suspension on the airing of his advertisements because these are being shown nationwide and he is running only in one district in Cotabato," lawyer Romeo Macalintal said in Filipino. Unlike actor Cesar Montano who is running for a national position, Pacquiao is a local candidate, and therefore, his advertisements should only be banned in the district where he is running as congressman. Opposition lawyer Sixto Brillantes urged the Commission on Elections last week to stop the airing of Pacquiao's advertisements, citing provisions of the Fair Elections Act.

What do you think?

I WOULD like to propose a debate between Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio and Manny Pacquiao on all issues: ranging from the economy to issues regarding overseas Filipino workers, etc. And then they could talk to the people of General Santos City about their own platforms. To run for office without direction "ay parang manok na pinugutan ng ulo (is like being a decapitated chicken)." -- DANTE FARAGAS, San Jose, California (via e-mail)