Comelec orders Davao lawmaker to explain remarks in lewd campaign crackdown

Metro Manila, Philippines - For making sexist and sexual remarks at not just one but three separate campaign events, Davao de Oro Rep. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga has become the fourth candidate in a week to receive a show cause order from the Commission on Elections.

In an order dated April 8 and made public on Wednesday, April 9, the Comelec Task Force SAFE (Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections) gave Gonzaga three days to explain why he should not face an election offense or disqualification case.

The order included a Tagalog translation of the campaign remarks in question, while Comelec Chairman George Garcia provided the media with video recordings.

In the first video - ironically taken during an event on International Women’s Day on March 8 - Gonzaga can be seen asking the women audience if they are good in bed.

“Ang mga lalaki magaling kayong ‘umiyot.’ Kayo bang mga babae magaling ba kayong ‘umiyot?’ O mas magaling pa kayo sa mga lalaki?” he said.

[Translation: You men are good at sex. You women, are you also good at sex? Or are you even better than the men?]

“Sasabihin niyo agad kaming mga babae, equal kami sa mga lalake. Pero hindi na yan totoo ngayon. Hindi na talaga. Kasi karamihan sa mga babae, pinipili na lang kung saan sila. Sa ilalim ba o sa ibabaw?” he added.

[Translation: You women are quick to say that you’re equal to men. But that’s no longer true. Not anymore. Because most women now just choose where they want to be - at the bottom or on top.]

In the second video, Gonzaga commented on a widow’s sexual activity and even urged her and a barangay councilor (kagawad) to kiss.

The third video showed him making public remarks about his wife, Davao de Oro Governor Dorothy Gonzaga.

"Dotdot, susuyuin kita. Bumukaka ka na [Dotdot, I will make it up to you. Spread your legs now],” he said.

According to the Comelec, Gonzaga’s actions may constitute discrimination against women and gender-based harassment, potentially violating the poll body’s guidelines on anti-discrimination and fair campaigning.

Comelec crackdown

The Comelec has been cracking down on inappropriate campaign remarks, starting with Pasig congressional candidate Ian Sia, who received a show cause order on April 4 for a viral joke in which he offered to sleep with single mothers. In response, Sia said he meant no harm and was merely exercising his right to free speech. He was reprimanded a second time for making a comment about a female staff member’s body size.

The poll body also flagged reelectionist Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia for saying that only beautiful women should become nurses, as well as for an allegedly racist remark about Maranaoans. Meanwhile, Mataasnakahoy Vice Mayor Jay Ilagan was asked to explain his “laos [outdated]” comment directed at rival Batangas gubernatorial candidate Vilma Santos.

On Wednesday, the Comelec also issued a letter to Manila councilor candidate Mocha Uson, raising concerns over “sexually suggestive” messaging in her campaign, including a jingle she has agreed to stop using in the meantime.