MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday, April 4, issued a show cause order against Pasig congressional candidate Ian Sia over his remark during a campaign event that single mothers may sleep with him once a year.

In its show cause order, Comelec’s Task Force SAFE said that in its view, the statement constitutes a “possible violation” of Comelec Resolution No. 11116, detailing discrimination as an election offense. It supplied emphasis on Section 3, which includes discrimination against women and gender-based harassment as among the prohibited acts.

The Comelec pointed to how Sia’s remarks were posted on social media and reported by the media. Comelec Chairman George Garcia confirmed that the order was issued motu proprio, which means that it acted on its own accord and did not wait for a complaint.

Sia has three days to explain why a complaint for election offense, or a petition for disqualification, should not be filed against him.

At his slate’s caucus in Barangay Pinagbuhatan on Wednesday, April 2, Sia said: “Kaya eto ho ang ambag ko para 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.“

(So here’s what I offer for the solo parents of Pasig: Once every year, women solo parents who still menstruate – Ma’am, let me make it clear, those who still menstruate – and are lonely, once every year, may sleep with me).

He said it was a joke, but followed it up with “Eto’ng sasabihin ko sa mga nangangarap: Mamamatay ka, ‘di mo ‘ko matitikman (Here’s what I’d tell those wishing: You’ll die without tasting me).”

No joking matter

In a Teleradyo Serbisyo interview hours before the show cause order was released, Garcia said he was “saddened” to see the video, and had to manage his emotions upon hearing what Sia said.

“Bakit kinakailangang bumaba tayo sa level ng ganyan sa pangangampanya (Why do we have to stoop down to that level of campaigning)?” said Garcia.

The chairman worried that children could watch remarks like these, uttered in a public campaign, and would see that this was acceptable.

“‘Yung content ng biro, medyo hindi po ‘yun biro eh. Kasi siyempre madaming mga masasaktan na mga kababaihan, at kahit po kalalakihan…. Nasa social media, and therefore, pag pinabayaan naman po namin, napakawalang kwenta naman po ng Comelec, kung ganyan-ganyan ang mga biro lang, papayagan at hahayaan lang natin. Sa atin pong palagay, kinakailangang umaksyon ang Commission on Elections,” he said.

(The content of the joke, that’s not longer a joke. Of course, many women would feel hurt, and even men…. It was posted on social media, and therefore, if we just ignore it, the Comelec would be worthless if we didn’t act on such jokes and let them be. We believe that the Commission on Elections should take action.)

‘Not funny’

In a statement on Friday, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian condemned jokes targeting solo parents. Gatchalian did not specifically mention Sia, but described a situation where people might laugh at lewd jokes, which is what happened in the caucus.

“Let’s not underestimate voters. They may laugh, but that doesn’t mean they’ll vote for you. Engage them by telling them what you will do for them, rather than making them the punchline of your jokes,” he said.

“Solo parents are real-life heroes who put food on the table against all odds. They raise their children alone through sheer sacrifice. Let’s not marginalize them further. As DSWD Secretary, I simply do not find this funny,” he added.

Meanwhile, election watchdog Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) said it was “happy” with Comelec’s swift action against Sia’s remark.

“Hopefully, this would be a sign for all candidates to abide by the Comelec Resolution on Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning,” LENTE executive director Ona Caritos told Rappler. – Rappler.com