The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reminded candidates not to discriminate against fellow candidates based on their health status.

This came after the poll body issued a show-cause order against Nueva Ecija gubernatorial candidate Virgilio Bote for allegedly mocking his ally’s rival, who is battling cancer.

Bote is being asked by Task Force Safe to explain his remarks about a mayoral candidate. Speaking in Filipino, Bote reportedly said: "Now my mayor will no longer lose because his rival is in the hospital. I did not order to have him shot. He has an illness. What's his illness? He has stage five bypass kidney cancer. Cancer! That's why he could not campaign. So we feel relieved."

Citing the poll body's Anti-Discrimination Resolution and the Safe Spaces policy, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia reiterated that discriminating against anyone because of a health condition is strictly prohibited.

"May cancer na nga yung tao. Kung yan man ay totoo, kinakailangan pa ba natin i-degrade yung tao sa pamamagitan ng entablado sa isang kampanyahan? That’s a no-no,” Garcia lamented. ("He already has cancer. If that's true, do we really need to degrade him on stage during a campaign rally? That’s a no-no.")

"Basic po yun. That's common sense. Hindi nga po 'yun kinakailangang i-legislate pa o ilagay sa guidelines,” he added. ("That’s basic. It’s common sense. We don’t even need to legislate or include it in the guidelines. If someone has an illness or health issue, we should refrain from attacking them for it.")

Bote, who previously served as mayor of General Tinio, is running for governor of Nueva Ecija in the upcoming elections. His main rival is Oyie Umali.

The Comelec has given Bote three days to respond to the show-cause order.