The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has raised concerns over campaign materials from Manila councilor aspirant and former Palace official Mocha Uson, citing “sexually suggestive elements” that may undermine constructive political discussion.
In a letter dated April 8, Comelec’s Task Force SAFE (Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections) encouraged Uson to rethink her campaign messaging. “Sexually suggestive elements in your campaign can detract from serious discussions we need to have about policy, governance, and the future of our communities,” the letter stated.
Uson is running for councilor in Manila’s Third District and has recently come under scrutiny for campaign materials that critics say blur the line between playful and inappropriate.
While the Comelec acknowledged the use of creative expression in campaigns, it reminded candidates that “puns and double meanings may be used as literary devices… but we hope that these are used not to distract from your political platform or skirt the line between accepted speech and obscenity.”
“We trust that you will reflect on the impact of your current campaign approach and make choices that elevate political participation and discourse,” the commission emphasized.
Responding to the letter, Uson posted a statement on her official campaign Facebook page, saying: “In view of the issues raised, I have instructed my campaign team to immediately halt the use of the materials in question. We are currently reviewing all our content to ensure that it aligns with the standards of decency and appropriateness expected in public discourse and electoral engagement.”
She added, “We are committed to promoting meaningful dialogue on governance, policy, and the future of our communities.”
Uson is not the only candidate flagged by the Comelec in recent weeks. The commission has also asked several others — including Pasig congressional aspirant Christian Sia, Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Manalo Ilagan, and Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia — to respond to allegations of misogynistic or discriminatory remarks in their respective campaigns.
