Comelec orders Unabia to explain sexist remarks

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced Sunday that it will issue a show cause order against Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia over his alleged sexist and discriminatory remarks.

Unabia's comments, which went viral online, suggested that their nursing scholarship program should only be for women who are 'gwapa' or good looking, implying security threats if his son loses in the upcoming elections.

On Monday, April 7, a Comelec task force issued a show cause order requiring Unabia to explain within three days why he should not face consequences, potentially leading to a formal election petition for disqualification.

Unabia defended his remarks as mere jokes and urged the public not to be 'onion-skinned,' while clarifying that scholarships are open to all qualified individuals regardless of gender.

He also drew criticism for separate remarks linking terror groups to Muslims and urging vigilance against entities from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which have been condemned as perpetuating harmful stereotypes.