Comelec issues show cause order vs. Pasig candidate Ian Sia for controversial joke about single mothers
The Commission on Elections issued a show cause order against lawyer Christian "Ian" Sia, the lone candidate for a congressional seat in Pasig, after he made a sexual joke about single mothers during his campaign for the 2025 midterm elections.
In the order dated April 4, Comelec provided a transcript of what Sia 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 noted that it was posted throughout social media and was reported by the media.
"In our view, the foregoing constitutes a possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines," it said.
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."
BASAHIN: Pinagpapaliwanag ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) ang isang kandidato sa pagkakongresista sa Pasig City dahil sa umano'y di-magandang biro nito sa solo parents.
— PTVph (@PTVph) April 4, 2025
May tatlong araw para magpasa ng paliwanag sa Comelec ang kandidato. | via Louisa Erispe pic.twitter.com/1grPfHkdbP
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.
'Ako'y masyadong nalungkot'
In an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said he saw the video and was filled with sadness and disappointment.
"Narinig ko at nakita mismo ang video," Garcia said. "Ako'y masyadong nalungkot. Minanage ko na lang 'yung sama ng loob."
"Bakit kinakailangan tayong bumaba tayo sa lebel na ganyan sa pangangampanya?" he said.
Garcia noted that in a past interview, he asked candidates to show respect, whether it's toward their fellow candidates or the voters.
"Paano na lang kapag may mga nakapanood na mga bata na sasabihing okay lang pala, na parang bastusan na lang tayo kapag nasa entablado?" he said. "Kahit pa sabihin nating biro 'yan, hindi tamang biro 'yan."
Garcia also took note of Comelec's Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines.
"Hindi po puwedeng ganyan. Ibalik natin sa katinuan itong kampanyahan," he said. "Bagama't mainit na mainit, dapat tayo ay nagpapakaayos kahit sa pananalita natin. Unfair at di dapat ang mga ganyang klaseng salita, kahit joke."
Garcia noted that Comelec already came up with a decision on April 3.
"Hindi natin gusto magturo ng leksiyon," he said, "pero gusto lang natin ituro nang tama ang pangangampanya natin."
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 said. "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.
'Huwag kayo magalit sa akin'
In another campaign event, Sia reiterated that he was joking.
"Huwag kayo magalit sa akin, magalit kayo doon sa gumawa ng video," he can be heard saying in a video posted on April 4. "Kasama ko ang mga konsehal, nagjojoke po ako. Sa mga staff namin, may mga kasama rin po kaming solo parent."
He noted that if he said something wrong, his fellow candidates would call him out. He also justified the joke, saying people were getting bored as everybody delivered their platforms.
"Ginugulat ko lang ng joke, para 'yung attention, napupukaw, naiintindihan 'yung kailangan natin ipaliwanag," he said. "Gayumpaman, sa mga naoffend, humihingi ako ng dispensa."
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.
