Comelec orders Pasig bet Ian Sia to explain remarks at campaign rally

The Commission on Elections on Friday issued a show cause order against lawyer Christian Sia, who is running for representative of the lone district of Pasig City, over his jokes at a recent campaign rally.

The Comelec, through the Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (SAFE), wrote to Sia, asking him to explain why he should not be filed with an election offense or disqualification for violating Comelec Resolution No. 1116, which sets the anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines for the 2025 national and local elections (NLE).

LOOK: The Comelec issues a show-cause order against Atty. Ian Sia, who is running for Pasig district representative in Eleksyon 2025, over his lewd remarks at a campaign rally. @gmanewspic.twitter.com/uW2hCtw3CT

— Sundy Locus ???????? (@sundylocus_) April 4, 2025

“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,” the SCO reads.

“Failure on your part to comply with this Order shall be construed a waiver of your right to be heard and the filing of the appropriate case against you,” it said. 

Sia drew flak on social media after a video of him telling his audience during a campaign rally that female solo parents may sleep with him once a year went viral. 

“Minsan sa isang taon ang mga solo parent na babae na nireregla at nalulungkot, minsan sa isang taon pwedeng sumiping sa akin (Solo parents may sleep with me once a year),” said Sia.

In a statement, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian called on local candidates to raise the level of discourse during their campaign rallies instead of making jokes of marginalized sectors.

In another campaign rally, Sia said he was only joking. 

"Sana po sa mga kapwa ko Pasigueño, ang biro ay manatiling biro. Hindi po ba? At ang seryosong bagay, wag mo haluan ng biro," he said.

(I hope that for my fellow Pasigueños, a joke remains a joke. Right? And for serious matters, don't mix them with jokes.)

Comelec Resolution No. 1116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines provides that labeling groups and individuals as terrorists, dissenters, and criminals without evidence is considered an election offense in the 2025 midterm national and local polls.

The resolution also covers acts of bullying and discrimination involving gender, ethnicity, age, religion, and disabilities, among others.—AOL, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.