The Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued on Friday, April 4, 2025, a show cause order against lawyer Christian “Ian” Sia, a candidate for the lone congressional district of Pasig City, over his derogatory remarks about single mothers during a recent campaign sortie.
The poll body asked him to explain why a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against him.
Comelec’s Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (SAFE) cited Sia’s comments about single mothers during a campaign event on April 3.
He was quoted saying: “Ito ang ambag ko sa mga solo aprent ng Pasig. Minsan sa isang taon, ang mga solo parent na babae na nireregla pa. Nay, malinaw nireregla pa, at nalulungkot. Minsan sa isang taon puwede sumiping ho sa akin.”
The task force said that this constitutes a possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for Purposes of the May 2025 National and Local Elections and BARMM Parliamentary Elections.
Under Section 3 of the resolution, during the election period, any person who, directly or indirectly, commits acts of bullying on the basis of HIV status, coercion, discrimination against women, discrimination against PWDs on the use of public accommodations, gender-based harassment, labeling, public ridicule against PWDs, vilification of PWDs, violation of an anti-discrimination ordinance, and/or violation of rights to religious, cultural sites and ceremonies as defined under Section2 of this Resolution shall be liable for an election offense.
“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby ordered to show cause in writing within a non-extendible period of three (3) days from the receipt thereof to explain why a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against you,” the task force said.
In an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia expressed disappointment over the joke made by Sia calling it “unfair” to women.
“Paano na lang kung may nakapanood at sadyang makapanood na mga bata na sasabihin, ‘OK lang pala na ganyang bastusan na lang tayo pag ka nasa entablado.’ Kahit na sabihin nagbibiro ‘yan, hindi ho tamang biro ‘yan,” Garcia said.
“Pag pinabayaan naman po namin, napaka-walang kwenta naman po ng Comelec kung ‘yung ganyang mga biro lang papayagan at hahayaan lang natin. Sa atin pong palagay, kailangan mag-aksyon ang Comelec,” he added.
Garcia said that if they allow something like this, candidates will continue to make jokes directed towards religion, people with disabilities, the elderly, and certain vulnerable sectors.
Sia’s statements has also drawn criticisms from netizens and government officials, including Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Pasig City Councilor Angelu de Leon.
DISPENSA
Following the backlash, Sia apologized for his controversial remarks, clarifying it was intended as a joke to capture the audience’s attention during a campaign event.
“Mukhang kailangan ko ho ang dalawang bagay, magpaliwanag at humingi ng dispensa sa mga nasaktan.
He explained that his remark was a joke to keep the impatient audience engaged.
“Nais ko po sanang linawin ang aking sinabi sa video. Sa pamamagitan ng isang biro, ang layunin ko lamang po ay makuha ang atensyon ng mga tao, dahil sila po ay naiinip na, upang mas madali nilang maintindihan ang mga mahahalagang mensahe na kailangan nating pag-usapan,” he said.
“Ngunit ako ay nakasakit sa aking sinabi, humihingi po ako ng taos-pusong dispensa,” he added. (Dhel Nazario, Richielyn Canlas)
