Disqualification complaint filed vs Nueva Ecija mayor

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A MAYORAL candidate of Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, has filed a disqualification complaint before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against the incumbent mayor for making vulgar and anti-discriminatory remarks against his political opponents during a campaign sortie.

Formal complaints were filed Monday before the Comelec Task Force SAFE against Cabiao Mayor Ramil Bustamante Rivera for alleged violation of the poll body's anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines, and existing election laws.

In a 40-page affidavit, mayoralty candidate Marcelo Santos, together with nine other opposition bets under the People's Reform Party, charged Rivera with red-tagging, public vilification, coercion and defamatory statements — including a vulgar "supot" (uncircumcised) insult hurled at political rivals during a campaign sortie.

Complainants alleged that Rivera, who is seeking reelection, repeatedly and baselessly labeled opposition candidates as "criminal commanders," "extortionists" and "murderers-for-hire" in multiple media interviews, further accusing them of supporting armed groups without evidence.

Rivera's statements, the complainants claimed, were intended to intimidate, discredit and endanger the opposition. He claimed this is in violation of Comelec Resolution 1116 and Resolution 11127, and as well as provisions of Batas Pambansa 881, or the Omnibus Election Code, and Republic Act 9006, also known as the Fair Elections Act.

"These are not campaign jabs — they are election offenses," the complainants stated, warning that Rivera's continued use of abusive and discriminatory rhetoric could incite violence and compromise the fairness of the May 2025 elections.

The complainants asked Task Force SAFE for the immediate issuance of a show cause order and deployment of Comelec field monitors in Cabiao, among others, amid what they described as a rising climate of fear and harassment.

Under Comelec Resolution 11116, any person who commits an act of discrimination — whether based on HIV status, gender or disability — shall be held accountable. This also includes bullying, coercion, discrimination against women and persons with disabilities, gender-based harassment, labeling, violations of anti-discrimination ordinances, and infringements on the right to religious and cultural sites or ceremonies.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said violation of said prohibitive acts may result in the disqualification of the erring candidates, regardless of the modes of committing the punishable acts which may be in person, through radio and/or television, newspaper publication, internet and other similar media.

Garcia said that aside from disqualification, the erring candidate will be charged also with election offense, a criminal act punishable by one to six years imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Task Force SAFE has already issued at least six show cause orders — four against gubernatorial candidates, a congressional bet and a Pasay City mayoral aspirant.