Comelec as referee: No hitting below the belt

MANILA, Philippines – The Comission on Elections (Comelec) isn’t going to stop any boxing match between presidential aspirants Manuel Roxas II and Rodrigo Duterte.

As in boxing, however, the Comelec has an advice to the would-be pugilists: no hitting below the belt, and no elbowing.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said this yesterday as he refused to act as referee between the two candidates.

Bautista said he does not intend to mediate between the feuding candidates and will let them settle their differences.

“It’s my philosophy that, like in boxing, as a referee, there are rules that must be followed, like no hitting below the belt, or no elbowing. Other than that, let them be,” he said.

On Monday, Roxas dared Duterte to make good his threat of slapping him.

Duterte earlier challenged Roxas to a slapping match “when they cross paths” in response to the administration candidate’s claim that Davao City is not among the safest places in the country.

Roxas laughed off Duterte’s claim of having the safest city in the country, saying it was just a product of the mayor’s imagination.

Bautista noted the escalating exchange of threats between the two protagonists.

“As you know, elections are not for the onion-skinned. Elections are not for those who are thin-skinned. Things like that are part of the elections and I don’t think Comelec should step in,” he said.

Bautista, however, said the incidents could actually help provide the voters “a holistic view” of the candidates.

“I believe the Filipinos can vote wisely. They can choose the leaders that they want to elect,” he said.