Comelec issues second show cause order vs. Pasig candidate Ian Sia for his remarks on female staff's weight
The Commission on Elections issued a second show cause order against Christian "Ian" Sia, a lawyer running for representative of Pasig's lone congressional district, after he publicly commented on his female staff's weight.
In its show cause order on Tuesday, April 8, Comelec provided a transcript of Sia's pronouncements during a campaign activity of his party Kaya This on April 3, when he's quoted as saying, "Kahit po ang mga staff ko po, tipikal po, puro lalaki, isa lang ho ang kasama kong babae nung araw. Isa lang po a/ng kasama kong babae, si Jaja. Nasaan si Jaja? Nagdadiet ba? Magpakita ka lang, para 'di ka pagselosan."
"Asawa ni Eweng, ka-batch ko. Ngayon kasama na ho ni Atty. Tantan... Magpakita ka lang, Jaja. Yan ho ang staff, Jaja, ano ba hitsura mo nung nakaraang labinlimang taon. Payat? Ah hindi, nung nakuha ka ni Eweng. Mataba ka na. Nung magkasama pa lang tayo, ito na ang katawan ni Jaja. Give or take. Ilabas mo na lang 'yung picture. Huwag na tayong magtalo dito sa harap," Sia added. "Ang point ko ho. Iyan po ba ang magiging staff ng manyak? 'Di ho. Ang kasama ko naman ngayon, asawa ni Kuya Mario, si Ate Olive. Fifty-nine years old. 'Di ho. Pagdating po sa babae, malinaw po, ang babae ay nirerespeto at minamahal."
The order said that it "constitutes a possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines."
In particular, Comelec cited Section 3, which states that, "During the election period, any person who, directly or indirectly, committing acts of bullying on the basis of HIV status, coercion, discrimination against women, discrimination against PWDs (persons with disabilities), on the use of public accommodations, gender-based harassment, labeling public ridicule against PWDs, vilification of PWDs, violation of an anti-discrimination ordinance, and/or violation of rights to religious, cultural sites, and ceremonies as defined under Section 2 of this Resolution shall be liable for an election offense pursuant to Section 13 of RA 9006 and Section 261 (e) of the OEC (Omnibus Election Code) and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations."
It provided emphasis on "discrimination against women" and "gender-based harassment."
Comelec also cited the Magna Carta of Women and the Safe Spaces Act.
It asked Sia to explain in writing within a non-extendible period of three days upon receipt of the show cause order why a complaint for election offense or petition for disqualification should not be filed against him.
SC issues show cause order
The Supreme Court en banc ordered Sia to show cause within a non-extendible period of 10 days from notice why no disciplinary action should be taken against him.
This comes after lawyers Allen Liberato-Espino and Michelle A. Laserna-Adriculo filed a complaint before the high court over his alleged sexist remarks against single mothers.
The GABRIELA National Alliance of Filipino Women also asked the SC to investigate the incident and impose appropriate disciplinary action against Sia.
Sia's sexual joke about single mothers
Comelec first issued a show cause order against Sia on April 4 for his sexual joke on single mothers during an April 2 caucus, where he joked that they may sleep with him.
During that time, he shared their party's platforms, especially those of mayoral aspirant Sarah Discaya, whom he said is planning to give additional allowance to solo parents. He then recalled Discaya asking him about his plans for solo parents, to which he said, "Hindi ako pwede sumulat ng batas para lang sa Pasig," noting that it must cover the entire Philippines.
"Hindi lahat ng lungsod ay mayaman," Sia continued, before delivering his controversial joke.
"Kaya ito ho ang ambag ko para sa mga solo parent ng Pasig: Minsan sa isang taon, ang mga solo parent na babae na nireregla pa... nalulungkot, minsan sa isang taon, pwedeng sumiping ho sa akin," he said, drawing a few laughs, including from councilor candidate Ara Mina.
"‘Yun hong interesado, magpalista na po rito sa mesa sa gilid," Sia added.
After a brief pause, Sia said it was just a joke. “May asawa na ho ako," he said. "Ito ang sasabihin ko sa mga nangangarap: Mamamatay ka, 'di mo ako matitikman."
Netizens took Sia to task. Officials also condemned Sia's words, including Rex Gatchalian, Department of Social Welfare and Development secretary, and Angelu De Leon, chairperson of the Committee on Social Services and Solo Parent Affairs of the Pasig City Council and candidate for city councilor under Giting ng Pasig led by reelectionist Vico Sotto.
As seen in the Facebook Live of iNews Pasig on April 3, Sia addressed the aftermath of his controversial joke and decried the criticisms he was getting.
"Tatanungin ko kayo. Ako ba ay naging bastos sa inyo," he asked the crowd, with some of them answering, "Hindi."
"Nakakita ba kayo ng kabastusan sa pakikitungo ko sa inyo," he also asked, earning him another round of "Hindi."
"Pero sa social media, ako na ang pinakabastos sa lahat ng bastos. Kung may ranggo ang mga bastos, five-star general ako," he said, drawing a few laughs. "Sana, sa mga kapwa ko Pasigueño, ang biro ay manatiling biro."
Sia asserted that he was never ungentlemanly toward women. He then talked about his staff, noting they're mostly men, before calling Jaja on stage and commenting on her weight. Jaja can be seen smiling at Sia, who was tapping her shoulder the entire time. She was also responding to him off the microphone.
On April 4, Sia held a press conference and apologized to the public for his controversial joke. He said he is prepared to face any charges filed against him with "no hard feelings."
The midterm elections are set to take place on May 12. Overseas Filipinos may vote from April 13 to May 12, while local absentees—Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and media practitioners—may vote from April 28 to 30.
There will be a total of 18,272 national and local positions in the upcoming elections.
Campaign period began on Feb. 11.
