Pasay City mayoral bet apologizes for ‘racist’ remark
Pasay City mayoral candidate Editha Manguera (From the Facebook page of Wowee Manguera)
MANILA, Philippines — Pasay City mayoral candidate Editha Manguerra on Wednesday apologized for her controversial “racist” remark directed at Indian medical interns, explaining that she was just echoing the sentiments of her constituents towards the city government.
The Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) anti-discrimination panel, on Tuesday asked Manguerra to explain the following statement she made in Filipino in a campaign rally: “Let us get rid of Indians so that Pasay General Hospital won’t smell like onions.”
Asled n an interview with “Teleradyo 630” if she had a message to those offended by her statement, she said in Filipino: “I do not feel that much regret because I do not have ill intentions. I am asking for forgiveness for my remarks and it is not my intention to hurt feelings.”
The Comelec task force believes that her “racist” comments were about foreign students studying and training as medical interns at the Pasay City General Hospital.
The Comelec noted that the remarks may violate Comelec Resolution No. 11116 — or the Anti-discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the 2025 elections.
READ: Comelec orders Pasay mayoral bet to explain reported racist remarks
In the same radio interview, Manguerra explained that she was just airing the sentiments of Pasay City residents.
“Those are feelings of my beloved Pasayeños. I just became an instrument to express it,” she said.
“Of course, we have emotions and grievances, not towards the neighboring country, especially the Indian nationals, but towards the government, so they could listen to what the citizens are saying,” she added.
She mentioned that the people told her that the Pasay City General Hospital did not offer free medicines, and medical supplies needed to be bought outside the hospital.
She also said that when she had the chance to visit the hospital, she noticed that the sixth floor had wet flooring and damaged ceilings. No hospital beds were on the said floor, she added.
Meanwhile, when asked if many foreign nationals were working in the hospital, she said that many Indian nationals were in training there.
She noted that she bore no ill feelings towards the foreigners.
She also mentioned that she had not received the copy of the show cause order.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, in another interview with “Teleradyo 630,” said that the order was first issued to the local Comelec and may be forwarded to Manguerra later on.
Manguerra is the seventh and latest candidate tasked to explain reported discriminatory remarks for possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116.
The Comelec resolution, promulgated last February 19, stated that no discrimination should be shown 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.
