The Commission on Elections Task Force SAFE has issued show cause order (SCO)  to Jipapad, Eastern Samar vice mayoralty bet Noel “Nonong” Montallana to explain his “abnormal” remarks against his rival candidate this 2025 midterm polls. 

Montallana was given a non-extendible period 3-days from the receipt of the SCO to explain his utterances made during a campaign rally on or about April 23 in Barangay Jewaran, Jipapad where he urges his constituents not to vote for the Evardones, referring to his opponent.

“Don’t vote for the Evardones anymore because we’re sick of them. Aside from being sick of them, this RV (Evardone) was born at only seven months - what the heck, look at his face in his tarpaulin. 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,” Montallano was quoted as saying in the local dialect.

The poll body’s task force believes this could be a violation of its Anti-Discrimination resolution and Safe Space resolution prohibiting discriminatory remarks of candidates and their supporters during the campaign period.

Under Section 3 of the said resolution, gender-based harassment, public ridicule against PWDs, racial discrimination, vilification of PWDs will be considered as an election offense.

Gender-based harrasment refers to any unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person regardless of the motive.