Nueva Ecija bet asked to explain crude remarks vs rival

The Commission on Elections has issued a show-cause order against Cabiao, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ramil Rivera over controversial remarks he allegedly made during separate campaign rallies for Eleksyon 2025.

“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby ordered to show cause in writing within a non-extendible period of three days from receipt hereof and to explain why a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against you,” the Comelec's Task Force SAFE said in the show-cause order.

The poll body said Rivera, who is running for vice mayor of Cabiao, violated Comelec Resolution No. 11116 with statements that may constitute gender-based harassment and discriminatory labeling.

One such remark involved Rivera referring to a rival as “supot” (uncircumcised), which the Comelec flagged as inappropriate and offensive.

“Ang aking kuya na ito, galit sa supot ito. Baka may supot diyan, delikado kayo dito. Kaya sabi ko dito sa kuya ko na ito, itong mga kalaban natin, walang ginawa kundi manira. Sigurado mga supot pa ‘yan, pakituli mo lang," Rivera was quoted as saying.

(My brother here dislikes uncircumcised men. If there’s one out there, you’re in danger. I told him our opponents have done nothing but criticize—probably because they’re still uncircumcised. Circumcise them already.)

Comelec Resolution No. 11116, also known as the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines, prohibits labeling individuals or groups as terrorists, dissenters, or criminals without evidence. It also covers acts of bullying and discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, age, religion, disabilities, and other protected categories.

Additionally, Comelec Resolution No. 11127—an amendment to Resolution No. 11116—further designates all election-related activities and platforms, including social media, as “safe spaces” for the 2025 national and local elections. 

It also expands the definition of election offenses to include child abuse, discrimination, incitement, immoral doctrines, obscene content, and racial discrimination.

The Comelec has issued multiple show-cause orders to candidates for violating these guidelines. 

Last week, it filed a motu proprio disqualification case against a Pasig congressional aspirant over lewd remarks directed at single mothers. — DVM, GMA Integrated News

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