Ex-Surigao gov: DQ raps vs him, son is ‘pure retaliation’ by rival

Surigao del Norte Congressional candidate Francisco Matugas has fired back at his rival, Lucille Sering, saying that the disqualification she filed against him and his son is a payback for the complaint that he filed over her alleged discriminatory remarks.  In photo is Matugas’ son, Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas II.

MANILA, Philippines — Surigao del Norte Congressional candidate Francisco Matugas has fired back at his rival, Lucille Sering, saying that the disqualification she filed against him and his son Bingo is a payback for the complaint he filed over her alleged discriminatory remarks.

Sering filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) a disqualification case against the two Matugas men for allegedly abusing state resources or government facilities in the production of a campaign video.

Matugas is a former Surigao del Norte governor while his son, the incumbent Surigao del Norte 1st district representative, is now running for governor in the May 12 polls.

“Congressional candidate Francisco “Lalo” T. Matugas says that the disqualification case lodged this week by rival Lucille L. Sering is “pure retaliation’ and lacks factual basis, pointing out that Sering herself faces an earlier—and, he says, far stronger—petition that could bar her from the May 12 polls,” Matugas’ camp said in a statement.

The Matugas camp also said that Sering “has no proof that government facilities were used” as the “scenes in the subject video were reenactments using private facilities.”

Further, the camp pointed out the complaint filed by the older Matugas against Sering for possible violation of the Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the elections, and its supplemental resolution, Comelec Resolution No. 11127.

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During a campaign event, the older Matugas said that Sering “mocked and exaggerated his age… ridiculed his appearance… and branded his child stupid.”

“Matugas argues that these remarks collectively constitute public ridicule and vilification of a senior citizen and PWD [persons with disabilities]— both protected classes under the resolution— and therefore qualify as a legitimate election offense,” his camp added.

Meanwhile, the older Matugas challenged his rival to “focus on issues and platforms, not personal attacks.”

Comelec Resolution No. 11116, promulgated last February 19, states that no discrimination shall be acted against cause-oriented groups, 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 disabilities, and women.

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Its supplemental resolution declares all election activities and venues as “safe spaces.” It also considers use of foul language as an election offense.

Vote-buying and vote-selling are considered as election offenses under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code while abuse of state resources is prohibited under Comelec Resolution No. 11104./coa