A reelectionist mayor in Cavite added to the list of aspirants called out by the Commission of Election over lewd and unsavory remarks in campaign sorties.
Silang town Mayor Alston Kevin Anarna was ordered by the poll body’s Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (SAFE) to explain his alleged discriminatory jokes on single parents.
In a March 29 campaign sortie, Anarna joked that he would give free spouses to solo parents by pairing all widowers with widows via a raffle.
“We note that a live video recording of above utterance is posted on your registered online campaign platform with the Commission…In our view, the foregoing constitutes possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaign Guidelines for the purposes of the 12 May 2025 National and Local Elections and BARMM Parliamentary Elections, specifically, Section 3,” Comelec Task Force SAFE Director Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada said in a show cause order to Anarna.
Those found guilty of committing an election offense face up to six years imprisonment, according to the OEC.
The poll body also flagged Anarna for saying an elderly woman made sexual advances on him.
“I cannot recall how many people pinched my butt. Here is this old woman. You know, this happened for the first time during my campaign. This old woman kissed me torridly,” he said.
Anarna was given three days by the poll body to answer why he should not be charged for an election offense or disqualified over these acts.