Comelec division disqualifies Pasig congressional bet Ian Sia over sexist remarks

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'[Sia's remarks] revealed a troubling lack of respect for human dignity and a serious disregard for the standards of decency and ethical conduct expected of anyone seeking public office,' reads the ruling by the all-male 2nd Division

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) 2nd Division has disqualified Pasig congressional candidate Christian “Ian” Sia over his discriminatory remarks against single mothers and body-shaming his former female staff.

In a resolution dated Wednesday, May 7, but released to the media on Thursday, May 8, the Comelec division granted the petition filed by its Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion (SAFE) to disqualify Sia based on his sexist remarks during campaign activities.

His proclamation is also suspended until the final resolution of the case. Sia may file for a motion for reconsideration.

“The respondent’s public remarks, laden with sexist, objectifying, and demeaning language, did not merely reflect poor judgment. They revealed a troubling lack of respect for human dignity and a serious disregard for the standards of decency and ethical conduct expected of anyone seeking public office,” the petition reads.

The complaint stems from campaign events on April 3, where Sia joked that single mothers who were still menstruating could sleep with him once a year. In a separate event on the same day, he called a woman who used to work for him on stage, and made inappropriate remarks about her weight.

When the Comelec ordered him to explain why he should not face an election offense or disqualification case, Sia cried freedom of speech. Task Force SAFE did not buy this, and proceeded to file the disqualification case on April 16.

The 2nd Division’s decision also directly contradicts a statement that Sia made on Sunday, May 4, which claimed that the Comelec dismissed the petition seeking his disqualification.

“Isang mabuting balita po: Ibinasura na po ng Comelec ang nasabing petition…. Para po tayong nabunutan ng isang malaking tinik. Masakit po ang naging paratang sa atin dahil alam naman po ng mga nakasama at nakasalamuha natin sa loob at labas ng mundo ng pulitika na kahit kailan ay hindi ko po ninais na disrespetuhin ang ating mga kababaihan,” Sia had said.

(Good news: The Comelec has junked the petition… This is a huge relief. The accusations against me were painful because the people who know me and have interacted with me inside and outside the world of politics know that I have never wanted to disrespect women.)

But the Comelec had not released a decision on Sia until Thursday.

The all-male 2nd Division is composed of Comelec commissioners Rey Bulay, Nelson Celis, and Noli Pipo.

In a media forum on Thursday, Comelec Chairman George Garcia called the ruling “historic,” as it is the first time the poll body has disqualified a candidate based on anti-discrimination rules.

“Gusto nating i-emphasize sa lahat ng mga kandidato na obligado kayong magrespeto sa lahat…. In fact, may mga nagsasabi sa aming hanggang show cause order lang kayo. Pero pinakita ko natin na kaya, pupuwedeng magdesisyon ang inyong komisyon,” said Garcia.

(We want to emphasize to all candidates that you are obligated to respect everyone…. In fact, some people tell us that we only issue show cause orders. But we have shown that this commission can make decisions.) – Rappler.com