Comelec commissioner seeks election rules on gender sensitivity

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Wednesday said that she will propose a reform on election rules which will emphasize gender sensitivity and gender equality.

This follows the remarks of presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte about rape and murder victim Jacqueline Hamill, an Australian lay minister.

"As Chair of the Gender and Development Committee of the Commission on Elections, I will propose a Code of Conduct for Candidates, and will reform the election rules to emphasize gender sensitivity and gender equality," Guanzon said in a statement posted on Twitter.

My statement as Chair of the COMELEC Gender and Development Committee: pic.twitter.com/7wqhTxZFA4

— Rowena V. Guanzon (@commrguanzon) April 20, 2016

Guanzon said that Duterte's statement that "the mayor should have been first" was a "disgusting joke."

"Out of about 54.3 Million Filipino voters, there are 27,896,668 women voters. That's 1.7 Million more women voters than men. That's 27.9 Million women voters who CAN be raped," Guanzon said.

'Let voters decide'

The commissioner, however, clarified that foul and vile language is not a ground for canceling a certificate of candidacy (COC).

"Let voters decide what kind of a person they want to be President, a tough job that requires competence, honesty and mental fitness," the commissioner said.

The camp of Duterte had issued an apology for his controversial remarks after earning criticism from political rivals and on social media.

Duterte said in a statement that he had no intention of disrespecting women and rape victims.

"Sometimes, my mouth can get the better of me," Duterte said.