Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia. | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Peter “Sr. Pedro” Unabia
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Beleaguered by mounting criticisms against his recent campaign pitches, reelectionist Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia backpedaled on his earlier stance that only beautiful women are qualified to become nurses.
Speaking in a mix of English and Bisaya during a flag-raising ceremony at the provincial capitol on Monday, Unabia personally extended an apology to nursing professionals for the gaffe.
“We highly appreciate and recognize the work that nurses do,” Unabia said.
But Unabia cannot seem to let go of his sexist bent.
He explained that his remarks were only meant as joke to energize the audience who had waited at least four hours to hear him speak. Unabia spoke at around 9pm during his ticket’s April 3 sortie in Villanueva town.
He also said that part of the energizer is having “very sexy dancers” perform on stage “instead of chubby ones who can only perform one number.”
After saying his apology, Unabia then turned to his critics, urging them “not to be onion-skinned and overly sensitive” as “the preference for those with pleasing personality is a reality (in the workplace) such as in choosing for flight attendants.”
On Monday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec), through Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections, ordered Unabia to respond in writing within a non-extendible period of three days from the receipt of the notice why a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against him owing to his remarks.
The show-cause order was issued by task force chief Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada.
The order to explain also covers Unabia’s racist remarks against Maranaos and Muslims, which he uttered during a sortie in Balingoan town last April 1.
