Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia is the latest political figure to receive a Show Cause Order (SCO) from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) due to statements he made during a recent campaign event.
The Comelec served the order on Monday, calling on Unabia—who is seeking reelection in the 2025 polls—to explain why he should not face disqualification for his controversial comment suggesting that nursing scholarships be reserved for “beautiful” women.
The order also cited backlash stemming from his remarks about the Muslim community, although no direct quotes were provided on that matter.
“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 document stated.
It added, “Failure on your part to comply with this Order shall be construed a waiver of your right to be heard and the filing of the appropriate case against you.”
A video clip of Unabia speaking at a campaign rally has since gone viral, in which he stated:
“Ang nursing ay para lang sa mga babae, hindi sa mga lalake. Pero dapat, magandang babae.”
(“The nursing scholarship should only be offered to women not men, but they should be for beautiful women.”)
He further remarked in Cebuano:
“Hindi pwede ang pangit kasi kapag maysakit ang lalake tapos haharap ang pangit na nurse, mas lalong magkakasakit.”
(“Ugly ones should not be nurses because ill patients will be more sick.”)
This follows a similar move by Comelec last week, when they issued a show cause order to Atty. Christian Sia, a candidate for Pasig’s lone district representative, over inappropriate jokes he made about single mothers during a separate campaign rally.
