By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday ordered Pasig congressional candidate, lawyer Christian Sia, to explain why he used single mothers as the butt of his joke during a campaign sortie.
Sia told his audience on Thursday he is willing to sleep with single mothers, who are still menstruating and are lonely, once a year if he is elected.
He proceeded to instruct those who are interested to register for his offer.
“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby ordered to SHOW CAUSE in writing within a non-extendible period of three days from receipt hereof and to explain why a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against you,” Comelec Task Force on Safeguarding Fear and Exclusion in Elections Director Sonia Bea Lozada said in the order addressed to Sia.
Lozada said Sia’s act can be constituted as a possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaign Guidelines for the May 12 midterm elections.
Section 3 of the resolution says any person who, directly or indirectly, commits acts of bullying on the basis of human immunodeficiency virus status, coercion, discrimination against women, discrimination against persons with disabilities (PWD) on the use of public accommodations, gender-based harassment, labeling, public ridicule against PWD, vilification of PWD, violation of an anti-discrimination ordinance, and/or violation of rights to religious, cultural sites and ceremonies shall be liable for an election offense pursuant to Section 13 of Republic Act No. 9006 and Section 261(e) of the Omnibus Election Code and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.
“Kindly submit your Answer or Explanation via electronic mail at taskforcesafe@comelec.gov.ph and immediately thereafter, kindly send, through the fastest means available, including registered mail or any courier service, its original copy, to the following address: Task Force Safe, Office of the Director, Internal Audit Department Chairman’s Hall, Palacio Del Gobernador Intramuros, 1002 Manila,” the order stated.
Lozada warned that Sia’s failure to submit a reply will be considered as a waiver for him to be heard.
The poll body stressed that laws such as Republic Act No. 7277 or the Magna Carta of Women and Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act penalize acts of discrimination against women and gender-based harassment.