Batangas gubernatorial candidates Vilma Santos Recto and Jay Ilagan. Photo from Ilagan's Facebook page and ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday ordered Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Ilagan to explain his remark against rival Vilma Santos-Recto, whom he allegedly called "laos" or a has-been actress.

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The Comelec called out Ilagan's remark at a campaign activity on March 29, where he supposedly said:

"[A]ng aking kalaban ay isang Vilma Santos lang na laos na. Hindi ako takot. Kung sa Kathryn Bernardo at si Andrea Brillantes ay takot ako. Pero Vilma Santos, marami naman sa mga fans niya ang namamhinga na rin," said Ilagan, the incumbent Vice Mayor of Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas.

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According to Comelec, Ilagan's statements may qualify as "discrimination against women" and "gender-based harassment" under Comelec rules.

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"In our view, the foregoing constitutes possible violations of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for Purposes of the 12 May 2025 National and Local Elections," the Comelec said.

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The Comelec ordered Ilagan to explain within 3 days "why a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against you."

The Comelec has earlier issued show cause orders against other local candidates over their controversial remarks pertaining to women. 

For more news and features on Philippine elections, visit the ABS-CBN News' Halalan 2025 page.