Comelec body files DQ case vs Ian Sia over lewd remarks on single moms

Lawyer and Pasig congressional candidate Christian Sia. | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Chrsitian “Ian” Sia

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec), through its Task Force Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (Safe) on Wednesday filed a petition for disqualification against Pasig City congressional bet Atty. Christian Sia over his lewd joke on single mothers and his remarks on the physical appearance of his female assistant.

Task Force Safe, the anti-discrimination panel of the poll body, filed the petition before the Clerk of the Commission to disqualify Sia for violating the Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-discriminatory and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the 2025 elections, and its supplemental resolution, Comelec Resolution No. 11127.

Last April 4, the anti-discrimination panel ordered Sia to explain his remarks over single mothers that gained backlash. Sia, in a campaign event, jokingly said that he is offering himself to single “menstruating” mothers.

READ: Comelec confronts Pasig bet over ‘misogynistic joke’

In his response to the show cause order, Sia invoked his free speech. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia previously said that Sia’s apology would not suffice, as he still needed to explain his “misogynistic” remarks.

A second show cause order was issued against him for his remarks on the physical appearance of his female assistant.

Meanwhile, Task Force Safe Director IV and Head Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada said that the filing was done on a motu proprio basis.

It means that the panel conducted  its own investigation and prepared the petition for disqualification based on his answers on both show cause orders.

Wee-Lozada also shared that aside from the petition to disqualify Sia from the elections, the panel also requested to suspend his proclamation if he secures a seat in the House of Representatives. 

She added that they wanted to emphasize the importance of upholding safe spaces, regardless of time.

“Ngayong eleksyon syempre because we are electing candidates to public office, they should be held to a higher standard. So safe space also in campaigns, not just for candidates but also those attending the rallies, yun ang panawagan ng Comelec,” Wee-Lozada told reporters in an interview.

(This election, because we are electing candidates to public office, they should be held to a higher standard. So the Comelec calls for a safe space in campaigns, not just for candidates but also those attending the rallies.)

What happens after the filing?

Comelec Spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco explained that the petition will be raffled to determine which Comelec division will handle the case.

After the raffle, the division will study to issue summons or directive for Sia to file his answer on the petition.

Laudiangco said that these are part of the due process for Sia to be heard, the same process the task force implemented when they issued the show cause order. 

Further, Laudiangco said that it is important to include the request to suspend Sia’s proclamation if he wins since the process will be complicated.

He added that if the case is elevated to the Supreme Court, and the Comelec does not receive any temporary restraining order (TRO), they will implement whatever decision there will be.

“Kung ito ay disqualification at walang TRO after five days ma-promulgate, ico-consider ng Comelec ano mang boto na matatanggap niya as stray votes. At kung sakali, di pa nanalo pero nakuha yung pinakamaraming boto para sa posisyon, ay maaari pong magsuspend ng proclamation ang Comelec,” Laudiangco said in a separate interview.

(If this is disqualification and there is no TRO after five days, the Comelec will consider his votes as “stray.” And if he isn’t the winner yet he obtains the highest number of votes in a position, the Comelec can suspend his proclamation.)

He then reiterated Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia’s commitment to resolve all disqualification cases before the May 2025 elections.

READ: Comelec vows to finish anti-discrimination cases before May 12 polls

Sia was the first candidate to be issued a show cause order for possible violation of the Comelec Resolution No. 11116.

The other candidates are Misamis Oriental gubernatorial reelectionist Peter Unaba; Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Ilagan; Davao de Oro 2nd District Representative Ruwel Peter Gonzaga; Silang, Cavite mayoral candidate Alston Anarna; Nueva Ecija gubernatorial candidate Virgilio Bote; and Pasay City mayoral candidate Editha Manguera.

Resolution No. 11116, promulgated last February 19, states 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.

Its supplemental resolution declares all election activities and venues as “safe spaces” and foul language as an election offense.