AGRE
[Ee :
/$ RECEIVED

Republic of the Philippines {2 pareAPR_o 8 2005 8),
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES = 4 THEE Lan

Batasan Hills, Qt mn Ci 2, BY
ig, Guezon Cy 9 hie my

NINETEENTH CONGRESS Rey

Third Regular Session Lone

HOUSE BILL NO. 11438

Introduced by Honorable Representative
ARLENE D. BROSAS (Gabriela Women’s Party)

AN ACT INCLUDING MISOGYNISTIC AND DISCRIMINATORY REMARKS AND ACTS IN
THE GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES IN LOCAL AND NATIONAL
ELECTIONS, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE SECTIONS 68 AND 261 OF THE OMNIBUS.
ELECTION CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Philippine Constitution enshrines the fundamental equality before the law of women
and men (Article Il, Section 14) and mandates the State to recognize the role of women in
nation-building. Despite these provisions, misogyny — manifested through derogatory,
demeaning, or violent language and behavior directed at women — continues to permeate
public discourse, more alarmingly in the realm of national and local electoral campaigns wherein
public figures are the perpetrators and thousands of voters serve as audience.

Misogynistic acts and remarks by public figures, especially those aspiring for public office, erode
the values of respect, equality, and dignity upon which a just and democratic society must stand.
Such behavior and remarks not only normalize discrimination against women but also trivialize
the plight and status of women in Philippine society — reducing women to mere objects of
pleasure or material for sick and distorted entertainment. Sexist slurs, rape jokes, demeaning
remarks and sexually loaded behavior have increasingly become a staple for misogynists
seeking public office, on top of the traditional vote-buying, election-related violence and political
patronage. The fourth G in 4Gs — Guns, Goons, Gold and Girls - has become even more
pronounced in recent years, with the rise of social media adding to its virality and controversy.

During the 2016 presidential elections, then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte stirred the ire of
women’s groups when he said that the mayor should have been first in raping an Australian lay
minister, referring to an incident during a prison riot in Davao City in 1989.

During the 2022 elections, 6cyclemind vocalist and former Cabuyao councilor Tutti Caringal,
and Calamba mayor Timmy Chipeco, made rounds on social media after a video showing them


sitting on a female supporter during their campaign rally surfaced. The incident was condemned
by Gabriela Partylist, calling it a “distasteful display of women’s subjugation to men in power.”

Recently, Pasig congressional candidate Atty. Christian Sia drew widespread condemnation on
social media following his controversial remark during a campaign sortie last April 2, 2025. In
the viral video, Sia offered female solo parents who are menstruating and lonely to sleep with
him once every year. On April 3, 2025, Peter Unabia, the incumbent Misamis Oriental Governor
who is seeking a second term, made sexist remarks about nurses. During his campaign sortie,
he mentioned that nursing scholarships cannot be awarded to men, but only to beautiful women.

In both incidents, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was prompted to issue show cause
orders to Sia and Unabia, for “possible violation” of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the
anti-discrimination resolution.

The Omnibus Election Code, however, does not list misogynistic acts or remarks as a ground
for disqualification of political candidates, leaving the question of electoral bid purely at the
discretion of the accused.

This bill seeks to include misogynistic acts and remarks as grounds for disqualification from
holding or running for any public elective office in the Philippines, by amending Sections 68 and
261 of the Omnibus Election Code.

By imposing accountability on individuals seeking public office, this measure aims to uphold
ethical leadership and promote a political campaign culture grounded on respect for women and
members of the LGBTQIA+ community. It reinforces the standard that those entrusted with
public authority must exemplify integrity, decency, and respect for all individuals, regardless of
gender.

Ultimately, this bill is a step toward ensuring that those who aspire to lead the country do not use
platforms of power to perpetuate discrimination, but instead uphold the principles of equality,
inclusivity, and human dignity.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

—
LENE @. BROSAS
Gabriela Women's Party


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 11498

Introduced by Honorable Representative
ARLENE D. BROSAS (Gabriela Women’s Party)

AN ACT INCLUDING MISOGYNISTIC AND DISCRIMINATORY REMARKS AND ACTS IN
THE GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES IN LOCAL AND NATIONAL
ELECTIONS, AMENDING SECTIONS 68 AND 261 OF THE OMNIBUS ELECTION CODE OF
‘THE PHILIPPINES,

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 68. Disqualifications. - Any candidate who, in an action or protest in which
he is a party is declared by final decision of a competent court guilty of, or found
by the Commission of having (a) given money or other material consideration to
influence, induce or corrupt the voters or public officials performing electoral
functions; (b) committed acts of terrorism to enhance his candidacy; (c) spent in
his election campaign an amount in excess of that allowed by this Code; (d)
solicited, received or made any contribution prohibited under Sections 89, 95,
96, 97 and 104; (E) COMMITTED MISOGYNISTIC ACTS OR
GENDER-BASED HARASSMENT PROHIBITED UNDER SECTION 261,
PARAGRAPH G; or (F) violated any of Sections 80, 83, 85, 86 and 261,
paragraphs d, e, k, v, and cc, subparagraph 6, shall be disqualified from
continuing as a candidate, or if he has been elected, from holding the office.
‘Any person who is a permanent resident of or an immigrant to a foreign country
shall not be qualified to run for any elective office under this Code, unless said
person has waived his status as permanent resident or immigrant of a foreign
country in accordance with the residence requirement provided for in the
election laws.


SECTION 2. Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code is hereby amended by inserting
paragraph “g” after paragraph “f and renumbering the succeeding paragraphs accordingly:

Sec. 261. Prohibited Acts. - The following shall be guilty of an election offense:
XXX

(f) Coercion of election officials and employees. - Any person who, directly or indirectly,
threatens, intimidates, terrorizes or coerces any election official or employee in the
performance of his election functions or duties.

(G) PUBLIC DEGRADATION, RIDICULE AND HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AND
MEMBERS OF THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER,
INTERSEX AND ASEXUAL (LGBTQIA+) COMMUNITY. - ANY PERSON WHO
MAKES A REMARK OR COMMIT A BEHAVIOR THAT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY,
DEGRADES, RIDICULES, HARASSES, OR DIMINISHES THE DIGNITY OF WOMEN
AND MEMBERS OF THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER,
INTERSEX AND ASEXUAL = (LGBTQIA+)_ = COMMUNITY ~—_ DURING
CAMPAIGN-RELATED PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS SUCH AS ASSEMBLIES, SORTIES,
INTERVIEWS, PRESS CONFERENCES, PUBLIC RELEASE AND DISSEMINATION
OF PRINT AND ONLINE MATERIALS, AMONG OTHER RELATED FORMS WITHIN
THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD.

peed

SECTION 3. Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, any part or provision not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, proclamations, and other
issuances inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,