Comelec orders Nonong Montallana to explain remarks against rival

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a show cause order (SCO) to Noel 'Nonong' Montallana, vice mayoralty candidate from Jipapad, Eastern Samar, requiring him to explain controversial remarks made against his rival during a campaign rally.

Montallana urged constituents not to vote for the Evardones and mocked one of them as 'abnormal' due to alleged premature birth, also ridiculing his mother's appearance.

The Comelec believes Montallana’s statements could be in violation of the Anti-Discrimination resolution and Safe Space resolution, which prohibit gender-based harassment and public ridicule against persons with disabilities (PWDs).

These resolutions consider gender-based harassment, racial discrimination, and vilification of PWDs as election offenses.

Montallana is required to respond within three non-extendible days from receipt of the SCO.