DSWD chief urges Eleksyon 2025 candidates to raise level of discourse

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Friday called on local candidates to raise the level of discourse during their campaign rallies instead of making jokes of marginalized sectors.

"[U]sing our vulnerable, poor, and marginalized sectors as the butt of jokes is not the way to go. Let's not underestimate voters. They may laugh, but that doesn't mean they'll vote for you," Gatchalian said in a Facebook post.

"Engage them by telling them what you will do for them, rather than making them the punchline of your jokes. Hindi dahil natatawa sila ay ibig sabihin iboboto nila tayo (Just because they are laughing doesn't mean they will vote for us)," he said.

Gatchalian issued the remark amid the viral video of Pasig congressional candidate (lone district) Atty. Christian "Ian" Sia where he joked about sleeping with single mothers.

Though he did not name any candidate, Gatchalian stressed that solo parents are "real-life heroes who put food on the table against all odds."

"They raise their children alone through sheer sacrifice. Let's not marginalize them further. As DSWD Secretary, I simply do not find this funny," he said.

For his part, Sia defended his remark, saying that it was "only a joke."

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

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

Meanwhile, Pasig City Councilor Angelu De Leon slammed Sia for uttering his remarks shortly after International Women's Month, which is celebrated every March.

"Ang pagkakaroon ng respeto at dignidad para sa iba, anuman ang kasarian o estado sa buhay, ay isang mahalagang prinsipyo na dapat isinusulong ng bawa't isa, at mas lalo na sa mga nagnanais maglingkod sa ating pamahalaan at sa mga Pasigueño," she said in a Facebook post.

(Having respect and dignity for others, regardless of gender or social status, is a fundamental principle that everyone should uphold, especially those who aspire to serve in our government and the people of Pasig.)

De Leon is currently seeking reelection as councilor of Pasig's second district. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

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