Comelec confronts Pasig bet over ‘misogynistic’ joke
- Explain yourself, the Comelec told Pasig congressional candidate Christian Sia — or he may be charged with an election offense after making a vulgar joke during a campaign sortie that sparked public ire.
- The show-cause order said Sia’s public utterances during a campaign rally on Thursday night constituted a possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116, which provides guidelines for the May 12 elections.
- In videos that went viral on social media, Sia encouraged single mothers on their monthly cycle to sleep with him when they’re “feeling lonely.”
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday issued a show-cause order tor Pasig congressional candidate Christian Sia to explain why he should not be charged with an election offense after making a vulgar joke during a campaign sortie.
Sia has received backlash for his misogynistic remarks that objectifies and looks down on female solo parents, forcing him to later issue an apology.
The show-cause order, signed by Comelec Task Force Safe head Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada, said Sia’s public utterances during a campaign rally on Thursday night constituted a possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116, which provides guidelines for the May 12 elections.
It cited his remarks for discrimination against women and gender-based harassment, which, under the resolution, are treated as an election offense. This could lead to imprisonment of up to six years without probation, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and deprivation of the right to vote.
Gender-based harassment and discrimination against women are defined and prohibited under Republic Act No. 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women, and Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act. Corresponding criminal cases against Sia could also be referred by the Comelec for prosecution by the Department of Justice.
Sia, a lawyer, was required to answer the show-cause order within three days after receiving his copy.
Calls for disqualification
In videos that went viral on social media, Sia encouraged single mothers on their monthly cycle to sleep with him when they’re “feeling lonely.”
“Para sa mga solo parent ng Pasig, minsan sa isang taon ang mga solo parent na babae na nireregla pa … at nalulungkot … puwedeng sumiping ho sa akin. ’Yun hong interesado, magpalista na sa mesa sa gilid (For the solo parents of Pasig, once a year, single mothers who are still menstruating and are feeling lonely … you can have sex with me. Those who are interested, sign up at the table),’’ he told the crowd.
This earned the ire of Gabriela party list, which has called for his disqualification from the electoral race and disbarment for his “grossly immoral conduct.”
“Sia’s lewd misogynist remark trivializes the woes of our solo parents, subjugating them to mere sexual pleasure while sending distasteful tones of machismo,” said Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, a senatorial candidate in the May polls.
“Candidates spewing misogynist remarks and normalizing the objectification of women should never have a platform to amplify their distorted values,” she added.
Elevate election discourse
Gabriela’s national vice chair Sarah Elago called on the Comelec to impose sanctions on Sia and other candidates making similar discriminatory and distasteful remarks during the campaign period. She also asked the residents of Pasig to make Sia “accountable” for his statements.
“We should stand up and condemn this kind of machismo that is using the electoral campaign as a stage. This is unacceptable and even more unfunny,” Elago said.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian also did not take Sia’s statement lightly, stressing that such statements, dismissed as “jokes,” do not have a place in election discourse.
“Hoping that election discourse is elevated to a higher level … I simply do not find [it] funny,” Gatchalian said in a statement on Friday.
“Using our vulnerable, poor, and marginalized sectors as the butt of jokes is not the way to go. Let’s not underestimate voters,” he added.
Insensitive remarks
Candidates of the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas also criticized Sia.
“It does not befit (an aspiring) public servant,” said former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who had previously apologized for making a misogynist remark during the confirmation hearing of then Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo in 2017.
“Public officials should not talk like that. If you act like that, I think you should not be voted into office,” Sotto added.
Former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who is also seeking a return to the Senate, said Sia’s joke was “very insensitive.”
“If you are campaigning, you have to avoid saying these very unnecessary and very insensitive remarks. It will cause (candidates) to lose votes,” Lacson said.
ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, another administration senatorial candidate, said those vying for elective posts should be more circumspect in speaking before the public.
‘Shock factor’
On Friday, Sia explained that his joke was meant to “shock” the audience to get their attention.
“Pag nagsasalita ako, tipikal mahaba na [dahil] nakapagsalita na lahat so ’yung mga tao naiinip, na ayaw na makinig, so ginugulat ko lang ng joke so ’yung atensyon napupukaw (By the time it’s my turn to speak, all my cocandidates have already spoken so the people no longer want to listen, so I just crack a joke to get their attention),” he said.
“Ngunit ako ay nakasakit sa aking sinabi, humihingi po ako ng taos-pusong dispensa, (But I have hurt feelings with what I said, and I’m asking for forgiveness),” he said. —WITH A REPORT FROM MARLON RAMOS
