Manila, Philippines- The Commission on Elections has issued a Show Cause Order to a Nueva Ecija governor due to alleged insults against a mayoral opponent suffering from a serious illness.
During a campaign event for Governor Virgilio A. Bote on April 3, 2025, he mentioned that his party was not worried about losing to the mayor he was supporting, due to the opponent’s ongoing illness.
He even stated that he did not have his opponent shot, which is why the rival mayor is in the hospital.
“Ngayon naman po ay walang katalo-talo ang kalabang mayor ng aking mayor dahil nasa ospital na po ang kalaban namin. Di ko po pinabaril.” Nueva Ecija Governor Bote said during campaign event.
In the video, a man can be heard correcting Bote, saying that the opponent mayor, General Tinio Mayor Isidro Pajarillaga, does not have cancer, but Bote insisted that the illness could also be considered cancer.
“May sakit po na, ano yun? Ano yung sakit? Bypass kidney stage five cancer. Cancer na rin! Kaya di na po makapangampanya. Kaya po kami ay nakaluwag.”
In recent weeks, several candidates have been sent SCOs by COMELEC to explain statements that may violate Resolution No. 11116, or the Anti-discrimination and Fair Campaign Guidelines for Purposes of the May 2025 National and local Election and BARMM Parliamentary Elections.
In the case of Governor Bote, his statement against Pajarillaga is an example of public ridicule of PWDs or Persons With Disabilities.
Like other candidates issued SCOs, he is given three days to submit an explanation as to why he should not be charged with an election offense or a petition for disqualification.
Meanwhile, on April 1, 2025, the municipal council of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija, wrote to the Department of the Interior and Local Government to ask for help because Mayor Pajarillaga has not been reporting to the office for three weeks.
The letter stated that they cannot determine the mayor’s whereabouts, as based on social media and his family, Pajarillaga is abroad for personal reasons.