Sorry is not enough, Comelec chief tells Pasig bet
Commission on Elections Chair Erwin Garcia said on Monday that Pasig congressional bet Christian Sia should explain, not just apologize for, his remarks about offering himself to single mothers. File photo by Richard A. Reyes
MANILA, Philippines—For Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Erwin Garcia, an apology from an embattled Pasig City lone district representative aspirant will not suffice.
Instead, Christian Sia, should answer the show-cause order against him, Garcia said.
“It is not included in our guidelines that an apology or ‘I am sorry’ will lessen the weight of their cases,” the Comelec chief said in an ambush interview at Palacio del Gobernador.
Sia has apologized for his remarks about offering himself to single mothers, especially “menstruating” ones.
On Friday, the Comelec issued a show-cause against Sia and gave him until Monday to respond. Should he fail to issue a response, the Comelec would deem it as a waiver of his right to be heard.
Also, on Friday, the Solo Parents party-list filed an election offense case against Sia.
READ: Solo Parents party-list files election case vs Pasig bet Christian Sia
Garcia said this case and the possible case that may be filed by the task force against him could be consolidated.
The show-cause order on Sia catalyzed for Comelec to issue similar orders against political aspirants over their remarks perceived by the commission as discriminatory.
On Monday, two show-cause orders were issued against Misamis Oriental gubernatorial reelectionist Peter Unabia and Mataas na Kahoy town vice mayor and Batangas gubernatorial candidate Jay Ilagan.
Unabia was asked to explain his unsavory remarks on “ugly” nurses and Moro people, while Ilagan was ordered to do the same over his remarks against opponent Vilma Santos-Recto, whom he called “laos” (has-been) and alluding to her old age.
READ: Comelec to Misamis Oriental guv: Explain unsavory remarks on Moro, women
“We should be man or woman enough to accept responsibility,” Garcia said.
