Comelec orders Cavite bet to explain joking about grandma, single parents
Atty. Kevin Anarna. | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Atty. Kevin Amutan Anarna
MANILA, Philippines — Silang, Cavite mayoral candidate Alston Kevin Anarna is the latest to be issued a show cause order by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The case pertains to possible discriminatory remarks in a campaign sortie directed against a grandmother and solo parents.
Anarna, during a campaign activity last March 29, made the following utterances:
“Kanina, di ko na mabilang kung ilan ang kumurot sa pwet ko. Mayroon pa kanina, si lola. Alam nyo, first time ‘to mangyari sa kampanya. Si lola, nilaplap pa ako.”
(Earlier, I couldn’t count how many pinched my ass. There was one earlier, a grandmother. You know, this is the first time it happened in a campaign. The grandmother, she drowned me in kisses.)
“Sino dito ang mga solo parents? Bakit parang dumami ang solo parents? Kasi lahat ng solo parents, bibigyan natin ng libreng asawa!”
(Who are solo parents here? Why does it seem like the number of solo parents is increasing? Because all solo parents, we will give them free spouses!”)
“Ang gagawin natin, lahat ng balong lalaki at lahat ng balong babae, ira-raffle na lang natin yan, ha?”
(What we will do, all widowed men and women will be raffled, alright?)
“Pasensyahan na lang tayo kung kanino kayo mapupunta kasi pagkabunot ng pangalan nyo, diretsong kasal kay Mayor Kevin.”
“Forgive me for whoever you may end up with, because once your name is called in the raffle, you will be married at once by Mayor Kevin.)
READ: Comelec declares election-related activities, venues as ‘safe spaces’
Task Force Safe, the poll body’s anti-discrimination panel, on Friday said the remarks constitute a possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the 2025 elections.
The case relates to gender-based harassment.
“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby ordered to SHOW CAUSE in writing within a non-extendible period of three (3) days from receipt hereof and to explain why a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against you,” the order read.
The Comelec resolution was promulgated on February 19.
It stated that no discrimination shall be acted against cause-oriented groups and organizations.
These groups include people that are part of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual) community, indigenous peoples, persons living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), persons with disabilities, and women.
The poll body also released its supplemental resolution, declaring all election activities and venues as “safe spaces” and foul language as an election offense.
It can be recalled that Pasig City congressional bet Atty. Christian Sia was the first to be issued a show cause order over his lewd jokes.
The candidate offered himself to “menstruating” single mothers.
He was asked anew to explain his remarks on the physical appearance of his female assistant.
READ: Pasig House bet Ian Sia invokes freedom of speech in show cause response
Meanwhile, show cause orders were issued against reelectionist Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia for his remarks on “ugly” nurses and Moro people, and Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Ilagan for his utterance against opponent Vilma Santos over her age.
Davao de Oro 2nd District Representative Ruwel Peter Gonzaga was also asked on Wednesday to explain his lewd remarks about a widow.
On the other hand, Nueva Ecija gubernatorial candidate Virgilio Bote was ordered to explain what appears to be his mockery of his ally’s cancer-stricken rival.
