The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Second Division has disqualified Pasig City congressional bet Atty. Christian “Ian” Sia in the upcoming Desisyon 2025 over his lewd jokes about single mothers and his remarks about his female assistant during his campaign activities in April 2025.
The ruling comes after Task Force SAFE (Safeguarding Against Fear & Exclusion in Elections) filed a petition citing statements made by Sia that were deemed discriminatory against women and violative of election laws.
In the decision issued on Thursday, May 8, the disqualification stems from violations of Section 261(e) of the Omnibus Election Code and Comelec Resolution No. 11116, which outlines anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines.
The Commission stressed that public office “demands a temperament that unites rather than divides, and a character that respects rather than demeans.”
The Comelec earlier issued two show cause orders (SCO) against Sia over the discriminatory “body size” statement and offering single mothers who were still menstruating of sleeping with him atleast, once a year.
Comelec Task Force SAFE later initiated an investigation and found that Sia’s statements constituted acts of gender-based harassment in violation of the election code.
Despite the respondent reiterating his defense that his remarks were protected under the principle of "freedom of speech" and offering an apology for his statements, the Commission ruled to disqualify him.
The Comelec further stated that if Sia secures the highest number of votes, the official declaration of his victory will be put on hold until the case is fully resolved.
“Respondent [Sia] is hereby disqualified… In the event that he still garners the highest number of votes, his proclamation shall be suspended until the case is resolved,” the ruling said.
The disqualification underscores COMELEC’s commitment to upholding anti-discrimination policies and safeguarding the integrity of election campaigns.
Sia has not yet publicly commented on the said ruling.
