CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – There was no sign of remorse in the response of embattled Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia to a show cause order from the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Behind the polished language of a three-page explanation, Unabia on Thursday, April 10, laid bare his strategy: defend, deflect, and double down.

The Comelec’s Task Force SAFE flagged Unabia’s campaign remarks — widely seen as gender stereotyping, ethnic profiling, and hate speech — as potential violations of an election rule against discriminatory speech ahead of the 2025 national and local elections. The task force issued the order on Monday, April 7.

Unabia drew sharp criticisms for two remarks: a joke about the provincial government’s nursing scholarships being for beautiful women, and a slideshow that referenced bombings and massacres in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) — used to warn voters about candidates with ties to Maranaos and the Muslim-majority region.

Unabia defended his utterances as constitutionally protected. “The remarks…do not intend to stereotype or demean any group,” Unabia stated. “This statement must be viewed within the bounds of protected speech under Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.”

The same day Unabia submitted his response to the Comelec, the One Bangsamoro Movement (1Bangsa) filed a verified intervention, seeking his disqualification from the gubernatorial race over what it called “inflammatory and divisive remarks.”

The petition was meant to back a motu proprio complaint already pending before the Comelec. The group asserted that Unabia’s rhetoric violated constitutional protections on religious freedom and equal protection, and endangered Muslim communities.

Unabia, in his explanation, said the BARMM reference was grounded in public safety concerns and not meant to vilify any group.

“The presentation was a general cautionary discussion… not an imputation of guilt or malice,” he stated.

“[At] no point did I make derogatory generalizations toward the Maranao people or any Muslim community nor intended to pursue religious or ethnic bias. In fact, my record reflects collaboration with and respect for Muslim constituents, evidenced by multiple peace-building initiatives under my leadership,” read part of his response.

Unabia also described his remarks about the capitol’s nursing scholarship program and beautiful women as mere campaign banter, saying it was delivered in a “colloquial and informal tone” and should not be seen as policy.

He maintained that the remarks were made in good faith, informal and non-malicious, and delivered while engaging with voters. 

He cautioned against the dangers of curbing political speech even as he urged the Comelec not to slap him with an election offense complaint or disqualification petition.

“There can be no free and honest elections if in the efforts to maintain them, the freedom to speak and the right to know are unduly curtailed,” he said, quoting a Supreme Court ruling.

Meanwhile, 1Bangsa’s petition claimed Unabia’s statements posed a threat to the dignity and safety of Muslims and demanded accountability.

The Cagayan de Oro-based Mindanao Gold Star Daily quoted 1Bangsa president Maulana Balangi as saying their intervention showed their “firm assertion to defend the rights and well-being of the Filipino Muslim community, the general public, and to preserve the integrity of our democratic institutions.”

“We call upon the authorities to act without delay, to deliver justice, and to protect the sacred rights of every citizen in our diverse nation,” Gold Star quoted Balangi as saying. – Rappler.com