MANILA — Pasay Councilor Editha Manguerra, a mayoral candidate in the city, apologized Wednesday for a controversial remark she made during a recent campaign event where she vowed to rid the Pasay City General Hospital of "Bumbay," a Filipino racial slur for Indians.

"Ako po ay humihingi ng paumanhin sa aking mga nabitawang salita at hindi ko po intensyon na makapanakit ng damdamin," Manguerra told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

On Tuesday, the Commission on Elections asked Manguerra to explain her remark: "Tanggalin na natin ang Bumbay para wala nang amoy sibuyas na naiiwan sa Pasay Gen."

She was also asked to explain why a complaint for an election offense or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against her.

Manguerra could be referring to the foreign students studying and interning at the Pasay City General Hospital, the Comelec said in its show cause order for her.

In the interview, Manguerra explained that many Indian nationals were interning at the Pasay City General Hospital when she visited it last year. 

She claimed that the quality of services at the hospital could further decline due to language barriers because the Indians only spoke English. But she clarified she had nothing against Indian nationals.

Manguerra said she has yet to receive a copy of the show cause order from the Comelec, which earlier noted her statement could constitute a violation of the poll body's campaigning guidelines.

Comelec asks Pasay candidate to explain 'Tanggalin ang Bumbay' remark

In a statement Tuesday, the Pasay City General Hospital said it condemned all forms of humiliation or mockery against any of its staff, although it did not mention Manguerra.

"Pinapanatili ng institusyong ito ang mataas na pagtingin sa bawat isa laban sa diskriminasyon sa kabila ng lahi, kultura, kasarian, relihiyon o pananampalataya," the hospital said in the statement posted on Facebook. 

"Mananatili ang Pasay City General Hospital sa pagtataguyod at pagpapahalaga sa dignidad at integridad ng mga doktor, nars, kawani at pasyente nito sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng pinakamahusay na pangangalagang pangkalusugan sa bawat pamilyang Pasayeño."

Why Pinoys call Indians 'Bumbay'—and other Indian stereotypes