Comelec task force files petition to disqualify Misamis Oriental governor

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The civil society group One Bangsamoro Movement welcomes the petition, saying 'hate speech cannot go unpunished in a democracy'

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – A Commission on Elections (Comelec) task force on Monday, April 28, filed a petition to disqualify Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia from seeking reelection over remarks during separate campaign rallies that were seen as sexist and discriminatory.

The petition also seeks to suspend Unabia’s proclamation should he win in the upcoming polls.

It was filed by the Comelec’s Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (SAFE), which earlier issued a show-cause order for Unabia to explain why he should not be disqualified or charged with an election offense.

Unabia found himself under fire for comments made during recent political rallies in Misamis Oriental. In one rally, he warned voters against supporting local candidates allegedly associated with politicians from Marawi City and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), triggering outrage from Muslim organizations and student groups.

In a separate event, Unabia cracked a joke suggesting that only “beautiful” women would be granted nursing scholarships by the capitol, because “ugly nurses would only worsen the medical condition of ailing men.”

Efforts to get Unabia’s comment regarding the petition were unsuccessful. However, in a Facebook post, the governor confirmed that his group had received information about the petition, though not an official copy.

“Governor Unabia remains an official candidate for governor of Misamis Oriental protected by the constitutional presumption of innocence,” the post read in part.

Unabia’s group also said the governor would continue campaigning and called on his supporters to remain calm.

The One Bangsamoro Movement, a civil society group led by Maulana Balangi, welcomed the move by the Comelec task force.

“Hate speech cannot go unpunished in a democracy,” Balangi said.

The group added that the petition “slam(s) the door on politicians who think they can weaponize fear against Muslim Filipinos and women for mere electoral gain.”

They also denounced Unabia’s rhetoric as having “reeked of desperation and bigotry, and it backfired spectacularly.”

Unabia’s statements have spurred boycott calls and demands from some sectors for him to be declared persona non grata in Muslim-majority areas. – Rappler.com