The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is moving to disqualify Pasay City mayoral candidate Editha Manguerra, following outrage over racially charged remarks she made at a recent campaign event—remarks that have sparked a national conversation about prejudice, public leadership, and accountability.
In a petition filed motu proprio on May 2, the Comelec Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (SAFE) cited violations of both the Omnibus Election Code and the Fair Elections Act, arguing that Manguerra’s statement went beyond poor judgment and entered the realm of dangerous rhetoric.
At the heart of the controversy is Manguerra’s April 15 campaign statement, captured in a viral video, in which she said, “Tanggalin na natin ang Bumbay para wala nang amoy sibuyas na naiwan sa Pasay Gen,” a reference interpreted as a call to remove Indian foreign medical interns from Pasay General Hospital. The term “Bumbay,” widely regarded as a derogatory reference to people of Indian descent, drew sharp criticism from civil society groups, healthcare workers, and human rights advocates.
In her official response to an earlier show-cause order from the poll body, Manguerra claimed her comments were taken out of context. She framed the issue as a matter of local concern, pointing to complaints from some constituents about communication barriers between patients and foreign interns. She said the remarks reflected grassroots frustrations over healthcare access and were not meant to demean any ethnic group.
“While the term may have been colloquial, it was not racist,” her legal team argued. “The statement was informal, based on community sentiment, and not directed at individuals because of their nationality.”
But the Comelec task force saw it differently. The SAFE Task Force emphasized that Manguerra’s language was not just insensitive but constituted a campaign message rooted in exclusion. “This was more than a poorly worded comment,” said SAFE Director Sonia Wee-Lozada. “It was a campaign strategy designed to appeal to racial bias, disguised as political advocacy.”
The petition alleges that the candidate’s statements encouraged discriminatory treatment against Indian nationals working in public healthcare—particularly foreign interns serving at Pasay General Hospital. It also frames her remarks as a veiled promise to take political action against a vulnerable group if elected.
“The phrase ‘let’s get rid of the Bumbay’ is not merely expressive,” the petition stated. “It is a call to action. A political vow aimed at the institutional exclusion of individuals based on national origin.”
Comelec argued that Manguerra’s remarks sought to exploit racial anxieties to galvanize voter support, which, according to the task force, qualifies as inducement and coercion under Section 261(e) of the Omnibus Election Code—a punishable election offense.
Analysts warn that such rhetoric, left unchecked, could set a dangerous precedent. “Politicians have a responsibility to unify, not divide,” said Dr. Lira Castillo, a political ethics professor. “Weaponizing race or cultural identity to gain votes corrodes public trust and undermines the values of a democratic society.”
The petition asks the Commission to suspend Manguerra’s proclamation should she win the election and to refer the matter to the law department for further action, possibly escalating the case to a criminal complaint for an election offense.
As the May elections draw closer, the incident has reignited debates over the role of race and inclusivity in Philippine politics—and whether those seeking public office should be held to a higher standard in both language and action.