The Commission on Elections has issued a show cause order to Christian Sia, a Pasig City congressional candidate, following jokes he made during a recent campaign rally.
Poll chairman George Garcia said Sia was given 72 hours to explain why he should not face election offense charges over his controversial remarks about offering to sleep with female solo parents.
“Here’s what I’m offering to the solo parents of Pasig. Once a year, I invite female solo parents who are still on their period and feeling a bit sad to connect with me. If you’re interested, please register at the table next to me,” Sia said during a campaign rally in Pasig city.
The Comelec’s Task Force SAFE issued the show cause order to Sia due to his comments made during his party’s caucus.
“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby ordered to show cause in writing within a non-extendible period of three days from receipt hereof and to explain why a complaint for election offense and / or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against you. Failure on your part to comply with this Order shall be construed as a waiver of your right to be heard and the filing of the appropriate case against you,” the show cause order read.
Sia apologized for those who got offended by his “joke,” but complained the uploader of the video did not show the part where the audience laughed at his comments.
“If I hurt your feelings, I apologize…Don’t get mad at me, get mad at the uploader of the video,” he said.
“They only uploaded the part where I made the joke, but not the reaction of the people who laughed at it… I just told a joke to make them pay attention when I discuss important matters,” Sia said.
Sia’s statement potentially violates Comelec Resolution 11116’s Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines, which explicitly prohibit gender-based harassment during elections, according to the show cause order.
The Comelec cited Republic Act No. 7277 (Magna Carta of Women) and Republic Act 11313 (Safe Spaces Act) in defining discrimination against women as “any gender-based distinction, exclusion, or restriction which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment, or exercise by women” of their fundamental rights.