📷Christian “Ian” Sia | FB
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may face a surge of complaints following a viral video of Pasig City congressional candidate Atty. Christian Sia.
In the video, recorded during a barangay caucus in Brgy. Pinagbuhatan on April 2, Sia made an inappropriate remark about “sleeping with single mothers who still menstruate.”
The video also shows actress Ara Mina, who is running for councilor in the city and is part of the same Team Kaya slate led by Pasig mayoralty candidate Sarah Discaya, laughing at Sia’s “joke.”
“Kaya eto ho ang ambag ko para sa mga solo parent ng Pasig: Minsan sa isang taon, ang mga solo parent na babae na nireregla pa – Nay, malinaw, nireregla pa – at nalulungkot, minsan sa isang taon, puwedeng sumiping ho sa akin,” Sia said.
“‘Yun hong interesado, magpalista na ho rito sa mesa sa gilid,” he added.
Many netizens, not just those from Pasig City, have reacted and expressed their readiness to file complaints with the poll body against Sia.
A template for filing complaints has also started circulating online:
“I would like to file a complaint against congressional candidate Christian Sia of Pasig for his violation of COMELEC Resolution 11116 which promulgated that acts of bullying women and certain sectors during the campaign period are considered a violation and may constitute an election offense.
Here is the link to his campaign speech which is discriminatory and sexually offensive to women particularly single parents.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15398aBqGw/
I look forward to your prompt action on this.”
According to Comelec Resolution 11116 , “During the election period, any person who, directly or indirectly, committing acts of bullying on the basis of HIV status, coercion, discrimination, against women, discrimination against PWDs (persons with disabilities), on the use of public accommodations, gender-based harassment, labeling public ridicule against PWDs, vilification of PWDs, violation of an anti-discrimination ordinance, and/or violation of rights to religious, cultural sites, and ceremonies as defined under Section 2 of this Resolution shall be liable for an election offense pursuant to Section 13 of RA 9006 and Section 261 (e) of the OEC (Omnibus Election Code) and other pertinent laws, rules, and regulations.” (ROSE NOVENARIO)
