(April 10, 2025) – Candidates who display disrespectful or lewd behavior during the campaign period may face disqualification or even criminal charges, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned on Thursday.
Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said six show-cause orders have been issued to candidates over alleged violations, including two in Pasig and one each in Batangas, Davao de Oro, and Sorsogon.
He said inadequate responses from candidates would lead to two possible sanctions.
“Maaaring gumawa ng rekomendasyon ang Task Force Safe na una, mag-file ng motu propio complaint for election offense sa Comelec law department,” said Laudiangco on One PH’s One Balita Pilipinas. “‘Yung ikalawang bahagi ay motu propio filing ng petition for disqualification. Ito ay mas mabilis. Ito po ay lilitisin agad ng Comelec division at magru-ruling agad.”
Among those who received show-cause orders is Pasig congressional candidate Ian Sia, who is being questioned over his comment targeting single mothers and body-shaming a former staff member.
The Comelec also ordered Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia, who’s gunning for re-election, and Mataas na Kahoy Vice Mayor Jay Ilagan, who’s running for governor of Batangas, to explain their controversial remarks.
Unabia made a sexist remark about nurses, while Ilagan drew flak for calling his opponent, actress and former Batangas governor Vilma Santos-Recto “washed-up.”
Voters have lamented the rising number of candidates who make offensive remarks during campaign sorties, urging the Comelec to sanction them.
“Hindi kasi dapat ito ginagawa sa maayos na kampanyahan, at hindi papayag ang Comelec na malabag ang existing na batas,” said Laudiangco. “Sinisiguro lamang na hindi magagamit (ang batas) sa masamang paraan dito sa ating kampanyahan.”
Under Comelec Resolution No. 11116, candidates are expected to follow anti-discriminatory and fair campaigning guidelines.
While negative campaigning is not prohibited under the Omnibus Election Code, the Comelec stressed that candidates still have to be mindful of other laws, such as those on libel or cyberlibel.
(PM)
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