MANILA — A congressional candidate from Pasig City is facing backlash after making an offensive joke about single mothers. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has now taken action.

Christian Sia, who is running for the lone district seat in Pasig City, caused an uproar when he made crude comments during a campaign event on April 2. His remarks, directed toward single mothers, included offering himself to women once a year if elected. The comment sparked widespread outrage, with many calling it demeaning and inappropriate.

During a caucus in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Sia explained that, if elected, he could not legislate aid for solo parents due to financial constraints, particularly in less affluent areas. He then made the controversial remark:

“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. ‘Yun hong interesado, magpalista na ho rito sa mesa sa gilid.”

Sia later claimed it was just a joke:

“Biro lang ho. May asawa na ho ako. Eto’ng sasabihin ko sa mga nangangarap: Mamamatay ka, ‘di mo ‘ko matitikman.”

His remarks triggered widespread condemnation, prompting Comelec’s anti-discrimination panel, Task Force Safe, to issue a formal order on Friday demanding that Sia explain his actions. The show-cause order, which comes with a strict three-day deadline, requires Sia to explain why a complaint for an election offense or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against him.

“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby ordered to SHOW CAUSE in writing within a non-extendible period of three days from the receipt thereof and to explain why a complaint for election offense and/or petition for disqualification should not be filed against you,” the order stated.

Comelec’s decision underscores that Sia’s remarks may violate Comelec Resolution No. 11116, which prohibits discrimination against marginalized groups. The resolution protects women, as well as other groups such as the LGBTQIA+ community, indigenous peoples, people living with HIV, and persons with disabilities.

In an interview with Teleradyo, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia expressed concerns about the harm such remarks could cause to societal values.

“Bakit kailangan bumaba sa level na ganyan sa pangangampanya?” Garcia questioned in a public statement. “Paano na lang kung may nakapanood na mga bata? Kahit na sabihin nagbibiro ‘yan, hindi ho tamang biro ‘yan.”

He emphasized that allowing candidates to make such jokes could set a dangerous precedent, suggesting that future campaigns might devolve into crude humor rather than focusing on important issues.

“Pag pinabayaan natin, para namang walang kwenta ang Comelec… Kung sino pinakamagandang joke o pinakabastos na joke, ‘yun na lang ang paraan ng paghalal.” Garcia added, stressing the need to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.

Actress and Pasig City Councilor Angelu de Leon also criticized Sia’s remarks. Without directly naming him, she condemned the offensive comments and reaffirmed that Pasig City does not tolerate such behavior.

“Bawal ang bastos sa Pasig!” De Leon declared. She highlighted the disrespect Sia’s words showed toward women and solo parents, especially during a month dedicated to recognizing their contributions.

“Ang ganitong uri ng mga salita ay hindi lamang nakakainsulto sa mga kababaihan, kundi pati na rin sa ating lipunan… nakakagalit na sa katatapos lang ng buwan ng kababaihan, at ngayong buwan ng Abril kung kailan pambansang ipinagdiriwang at kinikilala ang ating mga solo parents, makakarinig tayo ng nakakabastos at nakakadiring pahayag,” she said.

Meanwhile, netizens and public figures have also voiced their outrage over Sia’s misogynistic statement, pointing out that such comments have no place in public discourse—especially in a political campaign.

“Hindi naman sya nagbibiro, di nga sya tumatawa eh, seryoso sya habang nagsasalita eh,” commented Evelyn L. on Facebook.

“Idisqualify na yan. Kababuyan at kabastusan ang bunganga. Ubod ng yabang. Napakalayo ng ugali kay Romulo,” said Jocelyn A.

“This guy clearly missed women’s month,” journalist Jacque Manabat wrote. “Telling single mothers to sleep with him is not a good joke. It’s not even funny.”

Manabat continued, “What’s funny is that he thinks his archaic and disrespectful mindset holds any power. It’s time for women to rise, to demand better, and to wield our voting power to elect leaders who champion respect, equality, and genuine support for women and families. We deserve representatives who understand the strength of single mothers, not those who perpetuate harmful stereotypes.”

📷 Screenshot from contributed video, COMELEC