Comelec orders Pasay mayoral bet to explain reported racist remarks

Pasay City mayoral candidate Editha Manguera (From the Facebook page of Wowee Manguera)

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday ordered a Pasay City mayoral bet to explain reported racist remarks made during a campaign activity.

The show cause order issued by Comelec’s Task Force Safe pointed out that incumbent Councilor Editha Manguera was quoted to have said the following:

“Tanggalin na natin ang bumbay para wala nang amoy sibuyas na naiiwan sa Pasay Gen.”

(Let’s remove all the Bumbay [Filipino term for an Indian person] so there will be no onion-like scent in the Pasay Gen.)

The anti-discrimination panel believes Manguera was referring to foreign students studying and training as interns at the Pasay City General Hospital.

READ: Batangas gubernatorial bet defends ‘laos’ remarks vs Vilma Santos

“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 petition for disqualification should not be filed against you,” the order read.

The panel noted that the remarks may possibly violate the Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the 2025 elections.

This law was amended by Comelec Resolution No. 11127, specifically on the election offense of racial discrimination.

Comelec Resolution No. 11116 was amended by Resolution No. 11127, in relation to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

It defined racial discrimination as “any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, color, descent or national or ethnic origin [that] has the purpose or effect or nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.”

Manguera is the seventh and latest candidate asked by the Comelec to explain alleged discriminatory remarks.

The others are Pasig House bet Christian Sia; Misamis Oriental gubernatorial re-electionist Peter Unaba; Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Ilagan; Davao de Oro 2nd District Representative Ruwel Peter Gonzaga; Silang, Cavite mayoral candidate Alston Anarna; and Nueva Ecija gubernatorial candidate Virgilio Bote.

READ: Comelec orders Cavite bet to explain joking about grandma, single parents

Resolution No. 11116 was promulgated last February 19.

It 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 disabilities, and women.

Its supplemental resolution declares all election activities and venues as “safe spaces.”

It declares that the use of foul language is an election offense.