Comelec division disqualifies Pasig bet Sia over single mom joke

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

In case Sia wins in the elections, his proclamation will be suspended until the final resolution of the case, the resolution also said. (File Photo: Christian “Ian” Sia/Facebook)

MANILA – The Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Second Division has disqualified Pasig congressional candidate Christian Sia from the May 2025 elections in connection with his lewd remarks about single mothers during a campaign event last month.

In a 10-page resolution, the division granted the petition filed by Comelec Task Force on Safeguarding Fear and Exclusion (SAFE) against Sia seeking his disqualification.

“Wherefore, premises considered, the Commission (Second Division) resolved, as it hereby resolves to grant the Petition,” the decision, promulgated on Wednesday but released to the media on Thursday, said.

“Accordingly, Respondent is hereby disqualified from continuing as a candidate for Member, House of Representatives, Lone Legislative District of Pasig City, in relation to the 2025 National and Local Elections.”

In case Sia wins in the elections, his proclamation will be suspended until the final resolution of the case, the resolution also said.

As it was only a division that issued the resolution, Sia can still file a motion for reconsideration with the Comelec en banc.

The case stemmed from Sia’s remark during a campaign sortie that he is willing to sleep with single mothers who are still menstruating and are lonely once a year if he is elected congressman.

In his formal reply to the Comelec division, Sia said his statement falls under freedom of speech, and insisted that it did not discriminate against women.

But according to the Second Division, his remarks were “laden with sexist, objectifying, and demeaning language” that “did not merely reflect poor judgement. They revealed a troubling lack of respect for human dignity and serious disregard for the standards of decency and ethical conduct expected of anyone seeking public office.”

“These were not isolated slips of the tongue; they were deliberate, public statements made during official campaign activities that caused injury to the honor and emotional well-being of specific individuals, particularly women,” it added.

‘PBBM’ party-list

Meanwhile, the Comelec en banc denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Pilipinas Babangon Muli (PBBM) party-list regarding the disqualification complaint filed by poll body’s Second Division for alleged misrepresentation.

The Second Division earlier cancelled the registration of PBBM party-list, which claims to represent Calabarzon, after it was found that none of its 10 nominees came from the region.

According to the division, the group “violated the requirement that a regional party must have a regional constituency when it accepted, and even fielded as nominees, members who are not from Calabarzon.”

“Wherefore, premises considered, the Commission resolved, as it hereby resolves, to deny the Motion for Reconsideration of Pilipinas Babangon Muli (PBBM) Party-list dated 28 April 2025,” it said.