Pasay City mayoral candidate Editha “Wowee” Manguerra on Wednesday apologized for the alleged racist remark she made during her campaign.
“Una sa lahat, ako po ay taos-pusong humihingi ng paumanhin sa lahat ng aking nasabi. Wala po akong intensyon na makasakit ng damdamin, lalo na sa ating mga kaibigang Indian nationals,” Manguerra said in a social media post.
“Ako po ay isang ordinaryong tao rin na nagkakamali. Hindi po ako perpekto, ngunit bukas po akong matuto at magbago para sa ikabubuti ng lahat. Maraming salamat po sa inyong pang-unawa,” she added.
(First of all, I want to deeply apologize for my remarks. I have no intention of hurting anyone’s feelings, especially the Indian nationals. I’m an ordinary person who makes mistakes. I’m not perfect, but I’m open to learn and changing for the better. Thank you for your understanding.)
During her campaign, Manguerra said, “Tanggalin na natin ang bumbay para wala nang amoy sibuyas na naiiwan sa Pasay Gen.”
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday issued a show cause order for Manguerra, who is currently a councilor in Pasay City, giving her three days to explain why she should not be disqualified from the upcoming elections for possible violation of its anti-discrimination rules.
The Comelec believes the candidate was referring to foreign students studying and interning at the Pasay City General Hospital.
It also said her remarks violated the anti-racial discrimination provision of Comelec Resolution 11116, or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the May 2025 polls. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News
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