MISAMIS Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia, who is seeking a second term in office on May 12, this year, is under fire for spewing misogynistic remarks in a campaign sortie in Villanueva town last Thursday, April 3.
Pitching for his provincial lineup, Unabia showed through a Powerpoint presentation the achievements of his administration, mentioning, among others, its scholarship program for those pursuing a nursing degree.
The program is now on its second year, he said.
Speaking in Bisaya, Unabia emphasized that the scholarship for aspiring nurses is reserved only for “beautiful women” as unattractive ones supposedly worsens a patient’s medical condition.
“Kining nursing (scholarship) para ra ni sa mga babaye, dili pwede ang lalaki. And, kato pa gyud mga babaye nga gwapa. Dili man pwede ang maot, kay kung luya na ang mga lalaki, atubangon sa pangit nga nurse, naunsa na man, mosamot atong sakit ana,” Unabia said nonchalantly.
Youth advocate Cyrus Arado-Ubay Valcueba posted a video clip of Unabia’s remarks on social media, which has since went viral, and criticized the governor’s misogynistic spiel.
“It’s so sad to think that our current leader is a sexist and racist,” Valcueba wrote. “Imagine, there’s a nursing scholarship in the province, but you can’t avail of it if you don’t meet the governor’s standards.”
Apparently addressing some comments on social media that Unabia probably meant it as a joke, Valcueba said “it was a poor one to make in front of a crowd.”
He called on the public to elect leaders who value gender equality and inclusivity, adding: “Say what you all say, but what I hear is viper dressed in empath’s clothing.”
Human rights lawyer Beverly Selim-Musni of Gabriela—Northern Mindanao condemned Unabia for his “offensive” and “dangerous” remarks.
“Reducing healthcare to a beauty pageant insults the professionalism, compassion, and sacrifice of our present and future nurses, regardless of gender or appearance,” Musni said.
“Sickness is not healed by a pretty face, but by skilled, dedicated hands and a heart for service. We need leaders who uplift our frontliners, not mock them,” she added.
Unabia’s sexist remarks was on top of his anti-Moro pitch, a veiled one for his son, Christian, who is gunning for reelection as congressman. Christian is being challenged for the seat by a candidate who is married to a Maranao politician.
Unabia suggested that if Christian’s opponent wins, the Maranaos would dominate Misamis Oriental and the province and Cagayan de Oro City could suffer from security instability just like the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm).
His scare tactic was backed by photos flashed on a giant screen such as the aftermath of the bombing of Jolo cathedral in January 2019, and the bombing of the Mindanao State University gym while Holy Mass was celebrated in December 2023.
“Mosugot mo ani? Unabia asked his audience.
Carlos Conde, senior Philippines researcher for Human Rights Watch, called Unabia’s remarks “deeply concerning.”
“From an elected official, Gov. Unabia’s anti-Muslim rhetoric is deeply concerning. He knows the real struggle by Mindanawons to keep harmony in a region that has been driven by conflict,” Conde told Gold Star Daily.
“As if this anti-Muslim bias is not enough, Gov. Unabia uttered sexist and offensive remarks during one campaign speech where he announced the province’s scholarship for nursing students is exclusive only to good-looking female students. This sexism should not be countenanced. It is deplorable, full stop,” he added.
On Saturday, Unabia issued a statement claiming that the video clip circulating online was a “distorted version” of his remarks about the Maranaos whom, he clarified, he did not mean to disrespect.
“We sincerely apologize, as it was never our intention to cause offense or to undermine the rich history, identity, and dignity of the Maranao people,” Unabia's statement reads in part.
But he has not taken back his sexist remarks.
