Comelec disqualifies Pasig candidate Ian Sia over sexual joke on single mothers
The Commission on Elections Second Division has disqualified Pasig congressional candidate Christian "Ian" Sia over his sexual joke on single mothers.
"Candidacy for public office is more than a political endeavor; it is a measure of one's moral fitness to lead," Comelec said in its ruling dated May 7. "Candidates are expected to carry themselves with honesty, decency, and a deep respect for others. Public office demands a temperament that unites rather than divides, and a character that respects rather than demeans."
The poll body noted that the standards of conduct for those aspiring to be elected "are no less stringent than for those already serving in the government."
"The character of a candidate is as critical as his platform, for it is through his behavior that the public gauges his fitness to lead. When a candidate uses his platform to demean, ridicule, or harass others, he shows himself unworthy of the trust and responsibility that public office demands," it said.
Comelec noted that its Omnibus Election Code's Section 261(e) and Resolution No. 11116, or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines, exist "to ensure that those who aspire to be elected do not pursue public office at the expense of others' dignity."
"Respondent's remarks, committed during campaign activities, were not only inappropriate, but unlawful and offensive to the principles that guide fair and respectful elections," it said. "His statements fall far below the standards required of those who wish to serve the people. Public office demands better and the people deserve no less."
“Accordingly, respondent [Sia] is hereby disqualified from continuing as a candidate for member, House of Representatives, lone legislative district of Pasig City, in relation to the 2025 national and local elections,” read Comelec’s ruling.
"In the event that the respondent nonetheless obtains the highest number of votes, his proclamation shall be suspended until the final resolution of this case," the ruling further read.
Sia may still appeal the ruling before the final resolution of his case.
Comelec filed the disqualification petition against Sia on April 16, citing a possible breach of the poll body's anti-discrimination policy.
Show cause order
Before filing a disqualification petition, Comelec issued Sia a show cause order on April 4. It provided a transcript of what he said during the caucus of his party Team Kaya This on April 2: "Ito ang ambag ko sa mga solo parent ng Pasig. Minsan sa isang taon, ang mga solo parent na babae na nireregla pa. Nay, malinaw nireregla pa at nalulungkot. Minsan sa isang taon, puwedeng sumiping ho sa akin."
The poll body said it constitutes a possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116.
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."
In his response dated April 7, Sia claimed that his viral statement was only an "abridged version" that was "maliciously spun to mislead people on social media."
He claimed Comelec Resolution No. 11116 "suffers from constitutional infirmity," or when a law or action is invalid or unenforceable due to a flaw.
He argued that Resolution No. 11116 was promulgated pursuant to Republic Act No. 9006 or the Fair Election Act's Section 13, which authorizes Comelec to promulgate and furnish political parties and candidates, as well as mass media entities, with the act's rules and regulations.
The section states that it's "consistent with the criteria established" in the 1987 Constitution's Article IX-C Section 4, which authorizes Comelec to supervise or regulate public utilities, media, and government-granted privileges during the election period to ensure equal access, fair rates, and the right to reply for candidates, as well as the Omnibus Election Code's Section 86, which authorizes Comelec to regulate election propaganda through mass media.
"Instead, Resolution No. 11116 seeks to implement, among others, the Magna Carta for Women and the Safe Spaces Act," Sia said. "Clearly, these are outside the jurisdiction of the Honorable Commission, as its power is limited to the enforcement and administration of las and regulations relative to the conduct of election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, and recall."
But even if Comelec Resolution No. 11116 is valid, Sia pointed out that he "did not violate the same when I uttered the statements."
He noted that though his language and tone were "indeed conversational with the use of everyday banter one would expect from ordinary people," his statements "were not made to discriminate, exclude, restrict, demean or harass female solo parents."
"My statements were not uttered to restrict or deprive female solo parents of their fundamental human rights and freedoms," he noted.
Sia said that though his words "may sound brash, my speech, in its entirety, fall within my freedom of speech."
April 2 caucus
During the caucus, Sia 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 inviting single mothers to sleep with him.
"‘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 stressed. "Ito ang sasabihin ko sa mga nangangarap: Mamamatay ka, 'di mo ako matitikman."
Many commenters took Sia to task in the comments section of the live video posted by Facebook page iNews Pasig. 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.
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—voted from April 28 to 30.
There will be a total of 18,320 national and local positions in the upcoming elections.
The campaign period began on Feb. 11.
