The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, 30 April, ordered Jipapad, Eastern Samar, vice mayoralty candidate Noel "Nonong" Montalla to explain his "abnormal" remarks against a rival during a recent campaign activity.

In a show cause order, the Comelec asked Montalla to justify why he should not be disqualified from the May midterm elections for allegedly violating the poll body's anti-discrimination guidelines.

The order follows a statement Montalla made claiming that his opponent, RV Evardone, was “prematurely born at seven months.”

“Don’t vote for the Evardones anymore because we’re sick of them. Aside from being sick of them, this RV (Evardone) was born only seven months. What the heck, look at his face in his tarpaulin,” Montalla said.

“He was prematurely born at seven months. So he is abnormal. That’s true. His mom is the same—she has no butt. Unlike my wife, with a big butt,” he added.

The Comelec said Montalla’s remarks may violate its Anti-Discrimination and Safe Space resolutions, which prohibit discriminatory statements by candidates and their supporters during the campaign period.

Under Section 3 of the resolution, gender-based harassment, public ridicule of persons with disabilities (PWDs), racial discrimination, and vilification of PWDs are considered election offenses.

As of 28 April, the Comelec has issued 74 show cause orders against local and national candidates running in the midterm polls.