Manila, April 4 -- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Friday urged local candidates for the May 12 elections to raise the level of discourse during the campaign and avoid resorting to jokes that tend to degrade the poor, vulnerable and marginalized sectors.

Gatchalian made the appeal following a viral video showing a local candidate using solo parents as a butt of jokes during a campaign sortie.

In a statement, the DSWD chief, a former mayor and congressman of Valenzuela City, reminded candidates that they should engage the crowd with their messages and not entertain them.

"Let's not underestimate the voters. They may laugh but who says they will vote for you. Keep them engaged by telling th...