'Because we are electing candidates to public office, they should be held to a higher standard,' says Comelec Task Force SAFE head Bea Lozada
MANILA, Philippines – A unit of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, April 16, filed a motu proprio petition to disqualify lawyer Christian “Ian” Sia from running for representative of Pasig City’s lone legislative district in the May 12 election, over his controversial remarks about single mothers that he made during a campaign sortie earlier this month.
Motu proprio means “by its own accord.” The Comelec Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion (SAFE) lodged its petition before the poll body itself, based on its own appreciation of the incident and without a third-party complainant.
Director Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada said Task Force SAFE’s investigation took into account Sia’s responses to the two show cause orders it earlier issued, concerning two separate incidents in which Sia was recorded on video making what the task force found to be offensive remarks.
“We wanted to emphasize the importance of safe spaces,” Wee-Lozada told reporters after filing the petition at the Comelec’s headquarters in Intramuros, Manila.
“Because we are electing candidates to public office, they should be held to a higher standard. So [we want] safe spaces not just for candidates but also for those attending the rallies.”
In case the petition remains pending by voting day, Wee-Lozada said the task force also seeks, in case Sia wins, to suspend his proclamation until there is a final verdict. Although Comelec Chair George Garcia earlier said the poll body would resolve all disqualification petitions before the elections, the process of appeals may prove lengthy and last months.
Wee-Lozada referred to the filing as “a first petition,” indicating the possibility of at least a second one.
Sia is running under the slate of businesswoman Sarah Discaya, who is opposing incumbent Mayor Vico Sotto. Sia had been elected to the city council twice, but his succeeding bids to become congressman failed. He is now up against Pasig’s incumbent Congressman Roman Romulo, who, like Sotto, is running for a third and law-limited final term.
What did Sia say?
In a campaign sortie in Barangay Pinagbuhatan on April 2, Sia said he could not, if he won, legislate aid to solo parents because not all districts could afford it, unlike “wealthy” Pasig.
“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,”Sia said.
(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).
“‘Yun hong interesado, magpalista na ho rito sa mesa sa gilid(Those interested may sign up at the table right here on the side),” he continued.
“Biro lang ho. May asawa na ho ako. Eto’ng sasabihin ko sa mga nangangarap: Mamamatay ka, ‘di mo ‘ko matitikman,”Sia said. (Just kidding. I’m married. Here’s what I’d tell those wishing: You’ll die without tasting me.)
The next evening, in a campaign sortie in Barangay Sagad on April 3, Sia tried to defend his earlier remarks, a video of which had started going viral. He said he was a true gentleman who would never disrespect women. In an attempt to prove his point, he asked a female former staff member to join him onstage and called her “mataba” (fat).
“Ang punto ko ho, ganyan po ba ang magiging staff ng manyak, ‘di ba?”(My point is, would someone like that become the staff of a maniac, right?), Sia said.
Sia made a public apology for his April 2 remarks in a media conference on April 4.
Task Force SAFE issued Sia separate show cause orders based on either incident. In his response to the first one, Sia argued that his remarks on single mothers fell within his “freedom of speech,” and that it was not in the Comelec’s place to set rules based on laws that do not concern elections, such as the Magna Carta for Women, and the Safe Spaces Act, which the task force said he may have violated.
A warning to all candidates
Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco, a lawyer, said Sia’s case ought to serve as an example to all candidates of what may happen if they disregard the poll body’s rules on campaigning, and the law in general.
Asked whether this means Task Force SAFE was dissatisfied with Sia’s response to the show cause orders, Laudiangco responded, “Yes.”
He noted that a verified complaint of an election offense — a criminal offense – has been filed against Sia by the Solo Parents Party-list on April 4, which will have farther-reaching consequences if Sia loses: perpetual disqualification from public office, suspension of his right to vote, and imprisonment.
“Kayo po ay nanliligaw sa aming boto (You are courting us for our votes),” Laudiangco said, addressing election candidates.
“Ipakita ‘nyo naman po sana sa amin na marunong kayong sumunod at gumalang sa umiiral na batas, hindi lang ‘yung sa panghalalan (Please show us that you know how to follow and respect prevailing laws, not only those that have to do with elections).”
This is the first time the Comelec filed a motu proprio complaint involving an incident of discriminatory remarks, Laudiancgo said. Sia will either be summoned to appear before the poll body or directed to respond to the petition in writing. – Rappler.com
