Four political rallies for gubernatorial candidates were held Sunday evening in Hagåtña, but remarks made at one event have drawn widespread criticism.
A video circulating on social media captured comments made during the Tenorio-Muña Barnes rally by Joe Meno, who served as master of ceremonies.
"If you vote for number 1 or number 3, you're in SPeD, you rode the short bus," Meno said.
SPeD is the acronym for Special Education. The reference to the "short bus" alludes to the shorter buses used to transport children with special needs.
The remarks drew laughter at the event but were widely condemned after the video circulated on social media — including by the Tenorio-Muña Barnes campaign itself.
"The remarks made by today's event emcee were hurtful, inappropriate, and do not reflect the values of the Josh Tenorio and Tina Muña Barnes Campaign," the campaign said Sunday evening, apologizing to "every person with a disability, to their families and to everyone who was hurt by those remarks."
The campaign noted that Muña Barnes previously served as deputy director of the Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, the organization that serves the community Meno's remarks targeted. The campaign also highlighted Tenorio's record of advocating for investments to help individuals with disabilities "live more independently."
"That is why today's remarks were so disappointing. They have no place in this campaign," the campaign said. "To everyone who was hurt, we are sorry. We will learn from this moment, and we will continue this campaign in a way that reflects the dignity, compassion, and respect that every member of our community deserves."
Meno, who has a brother with special needs, issued a public apology on social media, saying "there is no excuse for what I said. I take full responsibility."
"To every person with a disability, to their families, and to everyone I hurt or disappointed today, I am deeply sorry. I also want to apologize to Josh Tenorio, Tina Muña Barnes, the campaign, and the many volunteers whose hard work was overshadowed by my mistake. I cannot take back my words. I can only own them, learn from them and do better. I ask for your forgiveness. Hu gagao todus hamyu gi Mas takhilo na respetu dispensasion," Meno said.
Gubernatorial candidates Joe San Agustin and Dwayne San Nicolas released a statement calling Meno's remarks "condescending."
"Disrespect toward individuals with disabilities will not be tolerated under the San Agustin-San Nicolas administration. We firmly support individuals with disabilities and believe they should never be the subject of humiliation," the San Agustin-San Nicolas campaign said. "Regardless of who made the disrespectful statement, it is unacceptable for it to come from a representative of individuals running for office."
The Therese Terlaje-Sabina Perez campaign also condemned Meno's remarks saying , "We do not condone any ridiculing, bullying or demeaning of anyone through words or actions, especially the most vulnerable members of our community. Not in government. Not in politics. Not in schools. Not anywhere."
Responses from the Frank Blas Jr.-Mary Okada and Tony Ada-Edward "EJ" Calvo campaigns were pending as of publication.