Show Cause Order Issued to Pasay Mayoral Candidate for ‘Bumbay’ Remark
EDITHA “WOWEE” MANGUERA – The Pasay City mayoral candidate has received a show cause order from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) due to her controversial remarks about foreign students at the Pasay City General Hospital.
The remarks were made during a campaign activity, where Manguera allegedly said, “Let’s remove the ‘bumbay’ so there won’t be any onion smell left at Pasay Gen.” The Comelec’s order, issued on April 15, 2025, noted that Manguera’s comment appeared to refer to foreign students studying and interning at the hospital.
The Comelec believes that Manguera may have violated Comelec Resolution No. 11116, which outlines guidelines on anti-discrimination and fair campaigning, particularly about racial discrimination. As a result, the commission has directed Manguera to explain within three days why she should not face charges for election offenses or be disqualified.
Previously, Nueva Ecija gubernatorial candidate Virgilio Bote was also issued a show cause order by the Commission on Elections. The order stemmed from a campaign event held on April 3, during which Bote joked about the health condition of a rival mayoral candidate, claiming the latter was hospitalized due to kidney failure, heart bypass surgery, and cancer. Comelec found the comment potentially harmful and a possible violation of fair campaign conduct, giving Bote until April 12 to explain why he should not face penalties or disqualification.
Bote’s case is part of a series of similar orders issued by the Comelec against candidates for inappropriate campaign behavior. Pasig congressional candidate Christian “Ian” Sia received two show cause orders for making sexist jokes, including one about single mothers. Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia was called out for discriminatory remarks about women and Muslims. Mocha Uson, who is running for Manila councilor, was also flagged for using a campaign jingle with sexually suggestive lyrics.
These orders reflect Comelec’s intensified efforts to promote respectful and inclusive conduct during the campaign period, holding candidates accountable for offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate public statements.