By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday ordered two candidates in local posts for the May 12 midterm elections to explain their unsavory remarks in recent campaign sorties.
In separate show cause orders, the Comelec through the Task Force on Safeguarding against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (Task Force Safe) ordered reelectionist Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia and incumbent Mataasnakahoy, Batangas Vice Mayor Jay Ilagan, who is running for governor, to explain such utterances.
On April 3, Unabia said only beautiful women should be given nursing scholarship grants, adding that patients’ conditions might worsen if they are attended to by male or ugly nurses.
He also said politicians from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao might dominate their localities if his slates and allies are defeated in the polls.
Meanwhile, Ilagan called his rival, former Batangas representative and actress Vilma Santos-Recto “laos” (long past her prime) during a recent campaign rally.
The task force said these acts constitute possible violations of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the midterm polls.
Section 3 of the resolution says any person who, directly or indirectly, commits acts of bullying on the basis of human immunodeficiency virus status, coercion, discrimination against women, discrimination against persons with disabilities (PWD) on the use of public accommodations, gender-based harassment, labeling, public ridicule against PWD, vilification of PWD, violation of an anti-discrimination ordinance, and/or violation of rights to religious, cultural sites and ceremonies shall be liable for an election offense pursuant to Section 13 of Republic Act 9006 and Section 261 (e) of the Omnibus Election Code and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations.
On the other hand, Resolution No. 11116, in relation to Republic Act (RA) 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, RA 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act and the Supreme Court Decision in Deduro v. Vinoya, defines the terms ” discrimination against women,” “gender-based harassment,” and “labeling”.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia is hoping that all those running for public office in connection with the forthcoming polls should avoid such comments to be fair to their fellow bets.
“I hope such remarks will stop… Let this be a lesson to everyone that our jokes cannot be addressed to others, that we are not responsible for what we do and say. We should be man or woman enough to accept responsibility for what we say. Because the stage is not used to insult others. If we are only joking about ourselves, no one else cares. But when other people, groups, or associations are involved, what we are talking about is a bit wrong,” he said in an interview.
He noted that they will continue to monitor social media postings of candidates and also voters.
“Please, candidates, you are a role model for many, fans, supporters, children who attend (campaign activities) when you speak…. We must remember that there is a greater responsibility resting on our shoulders. We should not imitate what is wrong, we should imitate what is right…” the poll body chief added.
Asked if the candidate/s failed to comply with the order, Garcia said, “Failure to submit is a waiver of the right to explain. The Task Force will continue to determine whether or not charges should be filed… The Comelec has committed that before the end of the elections, we will resolve that matter.”
Be tactful, show integrity
Office of the Presidential Adviser, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., meanwhile, called on candidates to be “shining examples of tact and integrity”.
“As the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security of the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and the Chairperson of the National Steering Committee on Women, Peace, and Security, I strongly believe that there should be no place for discriminatory statements that cause division among the Filipino people,” he said in a statement.
Galvez added “malicious comments” are not only hurtful to certain grounds and genders in the country but also a regression from the principles of the culture of peace being advocated by the agency.
“As the conduct of the midterm elections in May and the first-ever Bangsamoro parliamentary elections in October are fast approaching, I urge candidates to not only promote their political platforms but also the values of understanding, healing, and unity in their campaign activities,” the OPAPRU chief emphasized.
He also said candidates must uphold the highest moral standards as they endeavor to take the lead and meaningfully contribute to nation-building efforts. (with Priam Nepomceno/PNA)
