String of sexist remarks leads Comelec to declare election activities safe spaces

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The Comelec also spells out exactly where any concerned Filipino can file reports about candidates being sexist or discriminatory

MANILA, Philippines – Following a string of incidents of candidates making sexist remarks during campaign activities, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decided to make it clearer, if it was not clear enough: that all election-related activities must be safe spaces.

The election-regulating body on Tuesday, April 8, promulgated a supplemental resolution to its original anti-discrimination resolution detailing that gender-fair language and etiquette must be used in the following: campaign rallies, caucuses, polling places, precincts, canvassing centers, and online election-related platforms.

The new resolution also said there is a need to expand the current list of forms of discrimination. Now, apart from discrimination against women, persons with disabilities, and persons living with human immunodeficiency virus, there is a new prohibition on forms of child abuse, racial discrimination, and immoral doctrines, obscene publications, exhibitions, and indecent shows.

The new resolution spells out where Filipinos can report instances of candidates committing any form of discrimination, as listed under Section 3 of the original resolution. Reports should be filed with Task Force SAFE, the Comelec’s task force in charge of implementing the anti-discrimination resolution.

Any concerned citizen of the Philippines can file complaints. Task Force SAFE can also file complaints motu proprio before the Comelec’s Law Department.

Several candidates have so far been issued show cause orders for making sexist remarks in campaign activities, such as Pasig congressional candidate Ian Sia, Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Ilagan, and Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia, who is seeking reelection.

The Comelec’s Resolution 11116 is the first of its kind, according to Comelec Chairman George Garcia. The resolution details discrimination as an election offense, which may lead to imprisonment and being barred from holding public office.

In an interview with reporters on Monday, April 7, Garcia reminded candidates that they are “models” for their supporters.

“Dapat nating tandaan, there is greater responsibility na nakaatang po sa ating mga balikat na dapat hindi po tayo pinamamarisan ng mali, at dapat pinamamarisan tayo sa tama. Kung may inaalipusta po tayong grupo, katulad ng single parents, ‘di po ba ‘yung mga kabataan sa kasalukuyan na makakakita’t makarinig niyan ay ganoon din po ang gagawin sa mga grupong ‘yan?” he said.

(We should remember that there is greater responsibilities on our shoulders that we must not be compared with the wrong, but the right. If we discriminate against a particular group, such as single parents, wouldn’t the youth who see and hear such remarks say similar things about them?)

Filipinos can reach Task Force SAFE to file complaints via:

• In person: Task Force SAFE desk located at the Palacio del Gobernador, Intramuros, Manila
• Email: taskforcesafe@comelec.gov.ph

– Rappler.com