Ian Sia’s DQ over lewd remarks a win for women – Gabriela

Pasig congressional candidate Christian ‘Ian’ Sia. — File photo

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte — The decision from a Commission on Elections (Comelec) division to disqualify Pasig congressional candidate Christian “Ian” Sia for his lewd and sexist remarks in a rally signals a “strong initial win” for women, senatorial bet and Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas said on Thursday.

Brosas, in a statement, said that this is a landmark decision from Comelec as it is the first time that a candidate was disqualified due to misogynistic actions.

Brosas noted that this decision should be a wake-up call to politicians who resort to such jokes, whether during the campaign season or not.

“Gabriela party-list welcomes the decision of the [Comelec] second division to disqualify Pasig lone district congressional bet Atty. Christian Sia over his lewd remarks in a campaign sortie as a clear landmark victory for women. This is the first time in Philippine history that a misogynist candidate will be kicked out from the race, if ever,” the lawmaker said.

“This ruling must serve as a wake-up call to the entire political establishment: misogyny is not just unbecoming of public servants — it is despicable and dangerous, and must be treated as such,” she added.

On Thursday, Comelec’s 2nd Division ruled that Sia has been disqualified over his statements about single mothers, and his remarks regarding the appearance and weight of his former assistant.

READ: Comelec division disqualifies Ian Sia over sexist remarks

Sia, who is running under the slate of Pasig mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya, was presenting his platform in a local sortie early April 2025 when he said that being a lawmaker means crafting laws for the entire Philippines and not only for Pasig.

Sia then vowed to check on the welfare of single mothers, saying that lonely mothers who still menstruate can have sex with him once in a year.

Government officials and lawmakers have called out Sia over this, with Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre urging voters in Pasig not to pick candidates who disrespect women.

READ: House official tells Pasig voters: Don‘t pick bets who disrespect women

However, Sia claimed the issue was blown out of proportion by his opponents. But after that incident, Comelec again asked Sia to explain his words — this time due to his remarks about his assistant’s physical appearance.

READ: Comelec asks Pasig bet: Explain remarks on assistant’s appearance

While the decision puts a dent in Sia’s candidacy, Comelec chairman George Garcia previously said that candidates facing disqualification could still appeal this decision, first before Comelec and then eventually the Supreme Court.

Brosas said it was through Comelec and more importantly, Filipino women’s efforts, that Sia was held accountable.

“We thank the Comelec for resolutely acting motu proprio in filing the disqualification case, and for ruling in favor of solo mothers who were utterly disrespected and degraded with Sia’s lewd remarks. But more importantly, we thank all Filipino women who spoke out and stayed vigilant on Sia’s case,” Brosas said.

“This proves that a collective decision to raise grievances and being alert yield tangible results,” she added in Filipino. “This decision sets a good precedent for all other cases involving misogynist candidates. We hope the poll body will also rule in the same framework to side with the crusade against misogynists seeking public office.”

Aside from Sia, there are candidates who are facing complaints and show-cause orders after making sexist jokes just to attract the attention of voters.

Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia, who is seeking reelection, found himself in hot water for saying that only beautiful women should be qualified to be a nurse, as ugly ones would only make patients remain unwell.

Unabia also claimed that if his ticket loses in the midterm polls, Maranaos would dominate the province and its capital Cagayan de Oro City, allegedly bringing in security instability just like in the Bangsamoro region.

The Comelec issued a show-cause order for Unabia.

Another show-cause order was issued against Davao de Oro 2nd District Rep. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, who is running for the province’s gubernatorial post, after he made misogynistic remarks against a widow.

A video that went viral on social media showed Gonzaga ordering board member candidate Nene Atamosa to stand in front of a crowd with a certain village councilor, before asking the two to kiss.

The lawmaker also reportedly made lewd remarks towards Atamosa.

Former assistant secretary and now aspiring Manila councilor Mocha Uson also was asked by the poll body to explain her campaign jingle entitled “Cookie ni Mocha.”

Uson, a key figure during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s tenure, is now running under the ticket of Manila mayoral candidate Isko Moreno. Even before the official start of the local campaign period, Uson had used her campaign jingle by giving out cookies and asking people how Mocha’s cookie tasted.

Uson had already asked her team to stop using the jingle./das