By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday filed a disqualification case against Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia for allegedly saying during a campaign rally that only beautiful women should become nurses.
Comelec Chair George Garcia said the poll body’s Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections filed the disqualification against Unabia before the Office of the Clerk.
The Comelec has yet to release a copy of the petition as of posting time.
The task force earlier issued a show cause order (SCO) against the reelectionist Unabia for possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines.
Unabia alleged said during a campaign activity on April 3 that the province’s nursing scholarship is exclusive for beautiful female students.
He was also accused of saying that Maranaos would threaten the security of Misamis Oriental if his son, First District Rep. Christian Unabia who is also seeking reelection, loses to a candidate married to a Maranao politician.
The SCO said the statements are deemed as acts of discrimination against women, gender-based harassment and labeling.
Unabia defended his remarks, saying they “fall within the ambit of protected political expression, necessary to ensure transparency and engagement in public discourse.” (PNA)
