Disqualification case for Pacquiao’s absenteeism

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – A petition of disqualification case in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is filed to Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao from senatorial race in 2016 elections due to his “pattern of absenteeism” at the House of Representatives.

Petitioner Ferdinand Sevilla said the boxing champion should also be declared as a “nuisance” candidate for he is “non-serious” with his government post.

In a report by Sheila Crisostomo of The Philippine Star, Sevilla said, “That respondent Pacquiao, who has not retired from professional boxing, cannot guarantee he will avoid absenteeism and will conscientiously attend to his mandated task of legislating if elected to the upper chamber of Congress.”

“Pacquiao’s filing of COC for senator in the upcoming national elections, therefore, comprises a sheer and shameless mockery of the election process,” he added.

In a petition filed on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 21 Ph Time), Pacquiao registered 60 absences out of the House’s 168 session days in 2013.

In 2014, Pacquiao reported at the House for only seven days out of 70 session days, Sevilla added.

During his tenure of office, Pacquiao is also the head coach in a Philippine Basketball Association’s team, the petition said.

Aside from his absences due to his sports career, the Sarangani representative also denies his constituents’ representation in the office, the petition indicated.

The Comelec’s Office of the Clerk of the Commission has yet to file the petition as Sevilla has not paid the filing fee of P10,100.