Misamis governor faces DQ case over ‘sexist, racist’ comments

Metro Manila, Philippines - Re-electionist Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia becomes the second local candidate to face a disqualification case as the Commission on Elections intensifies its scrutiny of improper campaign conduct.

The poll body’s Task Force SAFE (Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections) filed a petition on Monday, April 28, to disqualify Unabia from the gubernatorial race. The motion also seeks to suspend his proclamation if he wins in the May 12 midterm elections, pending resolution of the case.

The petition follows Unabia’s controversial comments suggesting that only "beautiful women" should become nurses and implying that electing candidates from the Maranao and Bangsamoro communities would lead to trouble.

Task Force SAFE has stated that his remarks could be considered discriminatory toward women, gender-based harassment, and labeling.

Unabia earlier apologized for his comments about the Maranaos but did not mention his remark about nurses.

In addition to Unabia, the task force has filed a disqualification petition against Pasig congressional candidate Christian “Ian” Sia for a lewd joke about offering to sleep with single mothers and a subsequent comment about the body of a female staff member.

Show cause orders have also been issued for several other local candidates.