Comelec issues show cause orders against candidates over discriminatory remarks about single parents, rival with cancer
The Comission on Elections issued show cause orders against two candidates in the 2025 midterm elections for making discriminatory remarks.
Cavite mayoral candidate Alston Kevin Anarna made a controversial comment about a grandmother as well as single parents during a campaign event.
In his address to his supporters on March 29, Anarna joked about how he had an indecent encounter with an elderly woman.
"Kanina, 'di ko na mabilang kung ilan ang kumurot sa puwet ko. Meron pa kanina, si lola. Alam niyo, first time ko nangyari to sa kampanya. Si lola, nilaplap pa ako," he joked.
Later on, he also poked fun at solo parents, joking that he will give "free partners" to them via a raffle draw once he's elected as mayor.
"Sino dito ang mga solo parents? Bakit parang dumami ang solo parents? Kasi lahat ng solo parents bibigyan natin ng libreng asawa. Ang gagawin natin lahat ng balong lalake at lahat ng balong babae, iraraffle na lang natin 'yan ha? Pasensyahan na lang tayo kung kanino kayo mapupunta kasi pagkabunot ng pangalan niyo, deretso kasal kay Mayor Kevin," he said.
In Comelec's show cause order, they noted how he may have violated Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines.
According to Section 3, a candidate shall be liable for an election offense if they "commit acts of bullying on the basis of HIV status, coercion, discrimination against women, discrimination against PWDs on the use of public accommodations, gender-based harassment, labeling, public ridicule against PWDs, vilification of PWDs, violation of an anti-discrimination ordinance, and/or violation of rights to religious, cultural sites and ceremonies."
Anarna is being investigated for "gender-based harassment," which refers to "any unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person."
He is now being asked by Comelec to explain in writing within a non-extendible period of three days upon receipt of the show cause order why a complaint for election offense or petition for disqualification should not be filed against him.
Anarna has yet to give a statement addressing his controversial remarks nor Comelec's show cause order.
Nueva Ecija gubernatorial candidate Virgilio Bote likewise earned the ire of the public when he hurled insults against the rival of his ally running for a mayoral position.
Bote told his supporters in an April 3 campaign event: "Walang katalo-talo ang kalabang mayor ng aking mayor dahil nasa ospital na po ang kalaban namin. Di ko po pinabaril. May sakit po… Bypass kidney stage five cancer. Cancer na rin!"
"Kaya 'di na po makapagkampanya. Kaya po kami ay nakaluwag," he added.
Bote appeared to have made an erroneous statement, however, as most cancers can only reach up to stage four. He may have been referring to a Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease instead, which needs a dialysis or a kidney transplant.
In any case, Comelec similarly did not appreciate his remarks and issued a show cause order to him for possibly violating their anti-discrimination guidelines.
It provided emphasis on "public ridicule against PWDs."
He is also being asked by the poll body to explain in writing within a non-extendible period of three days upon receipt of the show cause order why a complaint for election offense or petition for disqualification should not be filed against him.
These come after Comelec issued show cause orders to three other candidates of the 2025 polls over their controversial remarks regarding women.
The first was Pasig Congressional candidate Christian "Ian" Sia for his sexual joke about single mothers; the second was Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia for saying that his administration’s scholarship program for nursing students was only for "beautiful women;" and the third was Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Ilagan for saying that his rival Vilma Santos was no longer in her prime in terms of popularity.
Sia was issued a second show cause order after he publicly commented on his female staff's weight.
