Comelec observes rise in reports of discriminatory campaigning

The Commission on Elections has observed that more people are reporting incidents of alleged discriminatory campaigning, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Friday. — Inquirer file photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections has observed an increase in reports of possible violations of the poll body’s resolution on anti-discriminatory and fair campaigning guidelines for the 2025 elections, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Friday.

Task Force Safe, the poll body’s anti-discriminatory campaigning panel, continues to review reports from concerned citizens, he said.

“I am glad that everyone is alert and active. Even in our social media, even a jingle is reported to us,” Garcia told reporters in Filipino in an ambush interview.

Garcia also said that reporting discriminatory or unsavory remarks of election candidates empowers the citizenry.

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“We must show that we should not be belittled and that our knowledge and power as voters should not be neglected,” Garcia added.

The task force has issued show-cause orders to six local candidates so far for their remarks that may violate Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-discriminatory and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the 2025 elections. Such a violation may lead to the filing of an election offense or petition for disqualification.

Garcia shared that two candidates have responded to the show-cause orders. He added that if the panel received no response, the candidates’ right to respond would be waived, and the panel would proceed with the investigation.

The Comelec resolution, promulgated on Feb. 19, stated that no discrimination shall be acted against cause-oriented groups and organizations, such as 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 disability, and women.

The poll body also released its supplemental resolution, Comelec Resolution No. 11127, declaring all election activities and venues as “safe spaces” and foul language as an election offense.

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The supplemental resolution states that the following acts shall be liable as election offenses during the election period:

• acts of bullying on the basis of HIV [human immunodeficiency virus] status
• child abuse
• coercion
• discrimination
• discrimination against women
• discrimination against PWDs in the use of public accommodations
• gender-based harassment
• immoral doctrines
• obscene publications
• exhibitions and indecent shows incitement
• labeling
• public ridicule against PWDs
• racial discrimination
• vilification of PWDs
• violation of anti-discrimination ordinance
• violation of rights to religious and cultural sites and ceremonies

The poll body also said that reports of prohibited acts shall be submitted in person to the Task Force Safe desk located at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila, or through email at [email protected].