Comelec panel files DQ case vs Pasay mayoral bet over racist remark

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear & Exclusion in Elections (Task Force SAFE) has filed a motu proprio petition for disqualification against Pasay City mayoral candidate Editha “Wowee" Manguerra.

- By DHEL NAZARIO

In a 19-page petition filed on Friday, May 2, the task force sought Manguerra's disqualification as a mayoral candidate of Pasay City, and suspension of her proclamation should she win the elections, "as it is patently clear that the evidence for her disqualification is strong".

To recall, Manguera was asked by the anti-discriminatory panel to explain through a show cause order (SCO) the derogatory remark she made against foreign students during a campaign sortie. The task force said that Manguera's statement referred to foreign students studying and interning at the Pasay City General Hospital.

She was quoted saying: "Tang-galin na natin ang mga bumbay para wala nang amoy sibuyas na maiwan sa Pasay Gen (Let's remove the bumbays in order to get rid of the onion smell at Pasay Gen).".