Solo Parents Party-list files election case vs Pasig bet Christian Sia

Solo Parents Party-list files an election offense case against Pasig congressional candidate Christian Sia over his lewd jokes toward single mothers. (Photo from Comelec Education and Information Department)

MANILA, Philippines — Solo Parents Party-list on Friday filed an election offense case against controversial Pasig congressional candidate Atty. Christian Sia for alleged violation of the Fair Elections Act following his lewd remarks toward single mothers, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Comelec shared this on the same day its Task Force SAFE issued a show cause order to Sia to explain in three days his obscene joke and why an election offense or disqualification case should not be filed against him.

READ: Pasig Rep. bet Sia says sorry for ‘single mothers’ joke

Sia has been under controversy after making a remark in a campaign sortie that single mothers, specifically those who are still menstruating, can sleep with him.

“Such remarks may violate Resolution No. 11116, or COMELEC’s Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines, particularly its provision on “discrimination against women” and “gender-based harassment.”

The complaint said that Sia’s “offensive” and “disgraceful” words reduce the struggles of women’s parenthood as a “laughable political punchline.”

“This was not just a lapse in judgment. it constitutes an election offense that disrespects not only solo parents, but the dignity of public office. Thus, Respondent must be held accountable for his conduct which offends the conscience of a nation that values and honor the sacrifices of women and solo parents,” the complaint read.

Sia, in a press conference on Friday, apologized for his remark, appealing to his critics “to find it in your hearts to forgive a person who has committed a mistake.”

Many government officials and groups have called out Sia’s statements, including Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Gabriela Women’s Party.

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.

READ: House official tells Pasig voters: Don’t pick bets who disrespect women

Violation of the anti-discriminatory guidelines constitutes an election offense pursuant to the Fair Elections Act, the Omnibus Election Code and other laws.