The Commission on Elections (Comelec) fired a new salvo in the lead-up to the 2025 elections. On Friday, its Task Force SAFE—Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion—filed a motu proprio disqualification petition against Pasay City mayoral candidate Editha Manguerra. The reason? Alleged racist remarks she reportedly made during a campaign event.
The petition seeks to bar Manguerra from running and to suspend her proclamation if she wins. It cites a violation of Section 261(e) of the Omnibus Election Code. The accusation: Manguerra labeled Indian foreign interns at Pasay City General Hospital as “bumbay,” a term considered offensive.
“Given these grounds, it is respectfully prayed that this Commission disqualify Editha Yambao Manguerra from the mayoralty race in Pasay City for the 2025 elections,” the petition states. It anchors its plea on laws guarding fair elections and anti-discrimination provisions.
Earlier, Comelec issued a show cause order to Manguerra, giving her three days to explain why she should not be disqualified. The poll body flagged her comments for possibly breaching anti-racial discrimination rules laid out in Comelec Resolution 11116, which governs fair campaigning for 2025.
Manguerra apologized, claiming her remarks were reactions to constituents’ complaints about communication and cultural gaps at the hospital. She insisted that her comments were not meant to insult or display racism.
She further argued that her statements preceded the amended campaign rules under Comelec Resolution 11127, so she should not be held liable under that provision.
But Task Force SAFE was unyielding. Manguerra’s admission, it said, confirmed her guilt of racial discrimination and incitement—election offenses punishable under the existing law, not just the new resolutions. The petition highlighted that such illegal remarks had long been punishable under the Omnibus Election Code and the Fair Election Act.
Manguerra is not the first candidate to face this fate. Disqualification petitions have also been lodged against Pasig congressional bet Christian Sia and Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia, who seeks reelection.
Comelec chair George Erwin Garcia warned that more disqualification cases would surface as the May 12 elections draw closer. “Expect a series of these cases in the coming days. We want the public to know Comelec does more than just issue show cause orders,” Garcia said.
He emphasized, “Even if complaints aren’t filed, even if no petitions come in, we will take action on our own.”
The message is clear: Comelec is ready to police the 2025 elections fiercely, cracking down on candidates who cross the line—even before voters cast their ballots. The race for power in Pasay and beyond just became much more intense.