By: Villamor C. Visaya Jr.
(Published in its print edition on March 29 – April 4, 2025)
IMPOSE the rule of law especially that the campaign season for the national and local elections are still ongoing.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) should not stop with mere show-cause orders issued to two gubernatorial candidates for alleged discriminatory, misogynistic, or lewd statements through the provincial election supervisors of Misamis Oriental and Batangas.
The Comelec Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections must have harsher teeth to impose the punishment, which is by disqualification.
Still, the elementary rule on due process must be accorded to reelectionist Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia and Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Ilagan, the incumbent vice mayor of Mataas na Kahoy town in Batangas. The accused candidates must have three days to explain why charges should not be filed against them, as the Comee.
Sexist remarks and gender discrimination have no room in every gathering, much more in a political exercise.
The words of Governor Unabia in a campaign speech on April 3 are clearly sexist and anti-Moro remarks. In Cebuano dialect he allegedly announced that “the nursing profession is only for women; men are not allowed, and only beautiful women. Ugly women are not allowed because when men are weak, if they face an ugly nurse, what will happen? Our illness will only get worse.”
In the case of Ilagan, he described actress Vilma Santos-Recto, his opponent for governor, as “laos (has been)” and nothing to be feared off.
Under Section 3 of the Comelec Resolution 1116 of the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the May 12 elections, persons who commit acts of bullying on the basis of HIV status, coercion, discrimination against women, discrimination against PWDs (persons with disabilities), 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 will be liable for an election offense.
Election campaign must not end down the gutter. We are in a civilized society and let the good deeds speak for a candidate.#
