Women’s group seeks SC sanction vs Pasig bet
Women’s alliance Gabriela on Monday sought to have the Supreme Court sanction lawyer and Pasig congressional candidate Christian Sia over his sex joke about single mothers.
In a letter, the group asked the high court to “look into” Sia’s remarks and “act on the matter by imposing any disciplinary action as the Honorable Court may deem fit and proper.”
“Victims [of abuse and violence] come to court because they have laws that protect them and because they believe that the courts are safe spaces for victims like them. With Atty. Sia, there will be no safe space for women—whether in or outside the courtroom,” Gabriela said in its letter to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.
During a campaign sortie in Pasig City on April 3, Sia encouraged single mothers in 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, there comes a time in a year when single mothers are menstruating and feeling lonely… You can sleep with me. Those who are interested, sign up at the table),” he told the crowd.
Videos of Sia uttering those remarks went viral on social media, prompting him to apologize soon afterward even as he blamed “the one who [uploaded] the video.”
“What was shown in the video was just what was said. but the reaction of the people wasn’t shown, that they were laughing—that was the whole purpose of the joke,” Sia said.
Ethical conduct
Gabriela acknowledged that complaints against members of the bar require certain rules and procedures.
But the group said the Supreme Court could act on its own on the matter, as it cited the high court’s power—under Section 5(5), Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution—to “promulgate rules… on admission to the practice of law.”
Gabriela also pointed out that Sia, as a member of the legal profession, is expected to observe ethical conduct under the high court’s Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, which the group said included certain provisions against “any gender-based harassment or discrimination” and “language which is abusive, intemperate, offensive, or otherwise improper.”
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a show-cause order for Sia to explain why he should not be charged with violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116, which cites, among others, discrimination against women as an election offense.
Show-cause orders
Since the controversy over Sia’s remarks, there have been other incidents of discrimination against women among the candidates that have also been brought to the Comelec’s attention.
The poll body’s antidiscrimination task force on Monday ordered reelectionist Gov. Peter Unabia of Misamis Oriental and Vice Mayor Jay Ilagan of Mataas na Kahoy, Batangas, until April 10 to explain why a complaint for election offense or a disqualification petition should not be filed against them.
Also addressing a campaign rally, Unabia on April 3 said his administration’s scholarship program for nursing students was only for “beautiful women” because “ugly” nurses could worsen a patient’s condition.
He also warned against Maranaos dominating the province, which he said could lead to instability, citing the peace and order situation in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Unabia even praised the “very sexy dancers” performing on stage “instead of the chubby ones who can only perform one number.”
‘Seniors, has-been’
The Philippine Nurses Association added its voice to the outrage over Unabia’s remarks, saying on Monday that “harmful stereotypes… contribute to a toxic work environment and ultimately hinder the delivery of quality patient care.”
Unabia walked back his remarks, saying at Monday’s flag ceremony that “We highly appreciate and recognize the work that nurses do.”
He later met with local Muslim leaders to apologize for his remarks regarding the Maranaos.
Ilagan, who is running for governor, said of his rival veteran actress Vilma Santos-Recto, a former governor, that “If I am running against Kathryn Bernardo or Andrea Brillantes, I will be afraid. But Vilma Santos? Many of her fans are already resting in peace, while others are already seniors.”
He also called Santos-Recto a “has-been” during his March 29 campaign rally.
The Comelec said the failure of these candidates to comply with the show-cause orders will prompt the poll body to file cases against them. —WITH REPORTS FROM CONG CORRALES, FROILAN GALLARDO AND DEXTER CABALZA
