Gender rights group files complaint vs Pasig bet Sia over lewd remarks

A gender rights organization filed an election offense case against lawyer Christian Sia, who is running for Pasig City District Representative in Eleksyon 2025, over his lewd remarks at a recent campaign rally.

PANTAY filed a formal complaint against Sia with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday, saying the candidate violated the Safe Spaces Act and Comelec Resolution No. 1116 when he said at a recent sortie that solo mothers may sleep with him once a year.

"Such a statement is not only grossly misogynistic, objectifying, and sexually suggestive, but also demonstrates a clear failure to uphold the ethical standards expected of any candidate running for public office," said PANTAY.

"This rhetoric degrades the lived experiences of Filipino women and solo parents, many of whom already face structural discrimination and stigma, and sends a dangerous message normalizing sexual coercion under the guise of 'public service'," the group added.

Sia drew flak on social media when his lewd remarks went viral.

"Eto po ang ambag ko para sa mga solo parents sa atin. Minsan sa isang taon ang mga solo parent na babae na nireregla pa, malinaw, na nireregla pa at nalulungkot. minsan sa isang taon, pwedeng sumiping sa akin," he was quoted saying.

Comelec issues show cause order

Sia's statement reached the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which prompted the election watchdog to issue a show-cause order (SCO) against him.

Comelec asked the Pasig bet to explain why he should not be filed with an election offense and petition for disqualification.

"Winarningan na natin lahat – national man o local candidates – walang bastos sa kampanyang ito. Respetuhan sa bawat isa," said Garcia.

(We warned candidates to be respectful to each other.)

"Maraming klase ng biro pero pag ang biro nakakasakit hindi biro yun. Lalo pa kung ito ay focusing sa isang sector," he added.

(There are various kinds of joke but if it is targeted against a sector, then it's not a joke anymore.)

Comelec Resolution No. 1116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines, which includes discrimination against women and gender-based harassment.

Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian also issued a statement on Sia's statements about single parents.

"Alam mo ang mga single parents, malalim na ang pinagdaanan nila. So, kung gagawin lang niyang biro ang mga pinagdaraanan ng mga solo parent. Kung sa sa mata niya ay pwedeng gawing punch line ang buhay ng mga solo parent. Sa amin mali 'yon," said Gatchalian in an interview in the report of Sandra Aguinaldo on "24 Oras" on Friday evening.

"In fact, nakaka inis at offensive. Nakakasira ng sensibility. Lalong-lalo na sa isang taong naghahangad na tumakbo sa isang napakataas na posisiyon. It's really not funny. It's not done in good taste at all," he added.

Sia apologizes

Sia explained during a press conference that he was only joking.

"I'm sorry po na lumabis po ang aking salita. Mali po ang napili kong biro para magpatawa sa isang political caucus," he said.

"I promise po na hindi na po yan mauulit. And I hope na mabigyan pa rin tayo ng pagkakataon," he added. — Sundy Locus/BAP, GMA Integrated News