Nueva Ecija Gubernatorial Candidate Ordered by Comelec to Explain Joke About Health of Mayoral Candidate
COMELEC – The Commission on Elections has directed Nueva Ecija gubernatorial candidate Virgilio Bote to explain why he should not face penalties for making a controversial remark about the health of a mayoral candidate.
During a campaign event on April 3, Bote joked that his opponent, a mayoral candidate, was unable to campaign due to being hospitalized with severe health issues, including kidney failure, heart bypass surgery, and cancer. The comment raised concerns under Comelec’s campaign guidelines. Bote was given three days, starting from April 9, to respond to the show cause order issued by the poll body.
This marks the fifth show cause order issued by Comelec, as they continue to monitor candidates’ conduct during the election season. Prior to Bote, several other candidates faced similar scrutiny for inappropriate or discriminatory remarks. Christian “Ian” Sia, a congressional candidate from Pasig City, was issued a show cause order after making a joke about lonely single mothers during a campaign rally on April 2. Sia later apologized, attributing the comment to an attempt to engage the audience, but the commission issued a second order following further misogynistic remarks he made about a former female staff member.
Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia, seeking reelection, also faced a show cause order from Comelec on April 7 after making controversial statements about nursing scholarships, stating they should only be awarded to “beautiful women.” He also made disparaging remarks about the Muslim community during his campaign. Unabia was also given three days to explain why he should not be disqualified from the elections.
Lastly, former Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, who is running as a councilor in Manila for the 2025 elections, was also issued a show cause order by Comelec. This was due to her campaign jingle, which included s*xually suggestive lyrics, particularly the phrase “Cookie ni Mocha, ang sarap-sarap.” The commission expressed concerns that the jingle could undermine the seriousness of her candidacy and violate campaign guidelines. Uson responded by discontinuing the use of the jingle, aiming to comply with Comelec’s standards.