📷: Gabriela Women’s Party | FB
The Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) has expressed support for the petition to disqualify a congressional candidate accused of sexism, who they claim has failed to genuinely apologize to those he has offended on multiple occasions.
The GWP noted that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has finally addressed the concerns of women, particularly single parents, who were deeply hurt by remarks made by Pasig congressional candidate Atty. Christian “Ian” Sia.
“Instead of issuing a sincere apology, Sia showed no remorse and even doubled down, hiding behind ‘freedom of speech’ in a desperate attempt to brush off the serious harm caused by his remarks,” said Gabriela Partylist Representative and senatorial candidate Arlene Brosas.
During a campaign event, Sia made an inappropriate comment suggesting that lonely single mothers who are still menstruating could sleep with him, which drew widespread condemnation from various organizations, including GWP.
In his attempt to justify his comments, Sia invited a female assistant on stage and made remarks about her appearance to demonstrate that he does not discriminate against women, which only led to further backlash.
When the Comelec asked him to justify why he should not be disqualified, Sia cited freedom of speech as his defense, prompting the Comelec Task Force Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion (SAFE) to initiate the disqualification petition.
The petition alleges that Sia breached Comelec Resolution 11116 – the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines – which could result in his disqualification from the May 12 elections or prevent him from being declared the winner.
Brosas praised the Comelec for its “decisive action,” emphasizing that this should set a standard against “abusive, demeaning, and discriminatory rhetoric towards women during the campaign period.”
Additionally, Gabriela Women’s Party First Nominee Sarah Elago indicated that they anticipate more cases against other candidates who have made similar sexist and misogynistic remarks.
“Other candidates who disrespect women must be held to the same standard. Let this serve as a clear warning that sexism has no place in public office,” Elago said. (ZIA LUNA)
