Batangas gubernatorial bet defends 'laos' remark vs Vilma Santos (2025)

MANILA, Philippines — Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Ilagan invoked his right to free speech, emphasizing that he did not make any discriminatory remarks against his rival, Vilma Santos-Recto.

The Task Force Safe of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier asked the Mataas na Kahoy vice mayor to explain his remark.

READ: Comelec asks Vilma Santos’ opponent to explain unsavory remarks

“Kung ang aking kalaban ay si Kathryn Bernardo pero ang 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 namamahinga na rin ang iba rin naman ay syempre nasa edad yan. At saka lagi ang sasabihin ko sa inyo ay iba ang governor na nahihipo…”, Ilagan said in a campaign rally last March 29.

(If my opponent is Kathryn Bernardo, but my opponent is Vilma Santos who is a has-been. I’m not scared. If it is Kathryn Bernardo or Andrea Brillantes, then I would be scared. But Vilma Santos, she has many fans who have rested in peace already, while others are already of considerable age. I will always tell you that it is a different matter when you can touch a governor.)

The task force said that the remark is a possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the 2025 elections, specifically under the election offense of discrimination against women and gender-based harassment.

Ilagan responded by saying that “[n]o election offense or petition for disqualification be initiated, as the statements in question do not violate Resolution No. 11116 or any provision of the Omnibus Election Code.”

He added that the comments did not include unwanted sexual remarks and lewd jokes, did not pose psychological threats, and did not deny access to rights or opportunities based on gender or age.

READ: Sorry is not enough, Comelec chief tells Pasig bet

He said that the “use of the term “laos” was directed at perceived political and pop culture relevance, not personal dignity or gender.”

He also asked for the dismissal of the matter “in the interest of fairness, equity, and due respect for constitutionally protected political expression.”

Further, he noted that the remarks allegedly made last March 29 during a campaign activity were made during an interview on March 25.

He then cited the Peñera doctrine that states that campaign-related rules will only be applied at the start of campaign period, or on March 28, 2025 for local candidates.

The Comelec resolution, promulgated last February 19, stated that no discrimination shall be acted against cause-oriented groups and organizations, such as people that are part of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) community, indigenous peoples, persons living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), persons with disability, and women.

The poll body also released its supplemental resolution, Comelec Resolution No. 11127, declaring all election activities and venues as “safe spaces” and foul language as an election offense.