The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a show cause order to Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia, requiring him to explain controversial remarks he made during campaign events last week.

The order, issued by Comelec Task Force Safe headed by Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada, cited potential violations of guidelines on anti-discrimination and fair campaigning.

Unabia may be be held liable for violations of Republic Act No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, and No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act.

Unabia defended his remarks as mere jokes and that the public must not to be “onion-skinned.”

He said his statements during a campaign sortie, including remarks about offering nursing scholarships exclusively to “beautiful women,” were jokes intended to keep the audience awake.

“You must understand that the audience has been sitting there from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. You need to keep them awake,” Unabia said during the flag-raising ceremony Monday.

He clarified that the scholarships are open to all qualified individuals, regardless of gender, and urged the

He detailed the scholarship program as a joint initiative with Mindanao State University-Naawan campus, with the province allocating PHP6 million for faculty support and another PHP6 million for student scholarships.

Unabia also drew criticism for separate remarks made during campaign events in the province’s first district, where he reportedly linked terror groups to Muslims and urged vigilance against entities from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao “entering” the province to govern.

Over the weekend, Unabia issued a statement claiming his words were taken out of context and affirmed his administration’s commitment to peace and progress among diverse people and religious groups in the province. (PNA)