Marcos: Poll bets who use sexist remarks in campaign are ‘unacceptable’
Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech during the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 31, 2024. (Photo by NHAC NGUYEN / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that candidates who use sexist remarks to attract voters are “unacceptable,” the Palace said on Thursday.
During a briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said she spoke with Marcos about the issue, and he emphasized that political aspirants should promote respect and truthfulness.
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“According to the president, candidates like this, with such narratives in their campaigns, are unacceptable,” Castro said in Filipino.
“Candidates should continue to promote respect, integrity, and truthfulness in what they say while making promises to their constituents and voters,” she added.
Castro also said that Marcos is “happy” with the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) swift response on the matter.
READ: Comelec asks Davao de Oro guv bet to explain lewd remarks vs widow
The issue stemmed from the remarks made by Pasig City’s lone district representative candidate Ian Sia, who, during a campaign caucus in the city on April 3, jokingly offered sexual favors to single mothers who are “still menstruating” once a year.
His “joke” sparked public outrage, prompting the Comelec to ask Sia to explain.
The poll body also issued a show cause order to Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia for his statement during a campaign rally. He said that his administration’s scholarship program for nursing students was only for “beautiful women” because unattractive ones could worsen a patient’s medical condition.
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Incumbent Davao de Oro 2nd district Rep. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga is also being asked by the Comelec’s anti-discrimination panel to explain his misogynistic remarks and lewd statement about a widow.
Based on Comelec’s show cause order dated April 9, Gonzaga ordered board member candidate Nene Atamosa to stand in front of a crowd with a certain village councilor and asked the two to kiss.
Atamosa has been a widow for 14 years.
“I am telling you, Nene Atamosa has been a widow for 14 years. I am sure hers is already closed. Will you try to make it loose?” Gonzaga told the village councilor in Filipino.
Comelec also ordered Jay Manalo Ilagan, the vice mayor of the municipality Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas, to explain why he should not be disqualified for making comments about his political rival, veteran actress and former governor Vilma Santos, during a campaign activity.
Ilagan said: “If my opponent is Kathryn Bernardo [I’d be scared], but my opponent is just a Vilma Santos who is already outdated. I’m not scared. If it were Kathryn Bernardo and Andrea Brillantes, I’d be scared.”
