Comelec asks Pasig Rep. bet Sia to explain following lewd joke on women

Ian Sia, candidate for the lone district of Pasig City, finds himself in hot water following a joke many found lewd during a campaign speech. Photo from Sia’s Facebook page.

MANILA, Philippines —The Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) anti-discrimination panel on Friday is asking Pasig City lone district aspirant Ian Sia to explain his lewd remarks toward single mothers.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said the Task Force Safe issued a show cause against Sia over his remarks offering himself to single mothers, especially “menstruating” ones.

READ: ‘Not funny’: DSWD slams Pasig district bet for lewd jokes vs single moms

“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby ordered to SHOW CAUSE in writing within a non-extendible period of three days from the receipt thereof and to explain why a complaint for election offense and/or petition for disqualification should not be filed against you,” the show cause order said.

The panel said this could be a possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116.

The resolution states that no discrimination shall be acted against marginalized groups like women, along with 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) and persons with disabilities.

Initially, Sia blamed his opponent’s “machinery” for blowing things out of proportion.

READ: DSWD calls out Pasig House bet Ian Sia for joke vs single moms: ‘Not funny’

Sia, however, eventually apologized for his joke on Friday after being subjected to torrent of condemnation from women rights’ groups and watchdogs, lawmakers as well as social media users.

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

He is running under the slate of Pasig mayoralty candidate Sara Discaya.