MANILA (UPDATED) — Election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting called on voters to be discerning in choosing who to vote for lawyer and Pasig congressional bet Christian "Ian" Sia's campaign remark that single mothers in the crowd could sign up to sleep with him.

PPRCV National Voters Education Committee Director Ana Singson said the incident was a "wake-up call" for voters to look beyond a candidate's personality.

"Dapat tignan natin ang characteristics ng kandidato. Magalang ba? Binabalik ko ang tanong sa mga nakikinig, magalang ba 'yung nangyari? Fini-feel niyo ba na nagpakita ng pagpapapitagan sa kababaihan?" Singson told Teleradyo Serbisyo, adding that she was very offended by Sia's remarks.

(We also have to look at a candidate's characteristics. Are they respectful? I'll throw the question back: Was what happened respectful? Does it feel like it shows respect for women?)

Sia has apologized for the joke, which he said he had been using at public fora for a long time. He also defended his remarks, saying the audience laughed when he said it and that it had been magnified because of local politics.

The local slate Sia is running with has suspended him from campaign events for three days and has told him to use the time for self-reflection. He is also facing a show-cause order from the Commission on Elections for a potential violation of campaign rules.

Sia has yet to respond to the order, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview on Sunday.

He said that if Sia fails to submit a reply, the matter will be sent to Comelec's Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections, or Task Force SAFE

"Ang-show cause order po ay isang panimula na proseso para magarantiya natin ang due process, ika nga. At ang kasunod po nito ay pag-aaralan 'yan mismo ng task force kung dapat bang tuluyang mag-file ng kasong kriminal, election offense, o diskwalipikasyon laban po sa kanya," he noted. 

(The show-cause order is to start the process, to guarantee due process. After that, the task force will study whether to file a complaint for  a criminal or election offense, or a disqualification case against him)  

RESOLUTION ON SAFE SPACES

Garcia also said he will sponsor a resolution for Comelec en banc's consideration declaring campaign rallies, polling places, canvassing centers and social media platforms as safe spaces.

The move aims to strengthen the poll body's anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines issued in February and provide voters an avenue to air their grievances. 

"Kinakailangang ma-emphasize kasi natin na dapat kapagka nasa mga ganyang lugar, mga ganyang klaseng event, ay hindi po tayo nagdi-discriminate, nambabastos ng ating mga kababayan, ng ating kapwa kandidato at kung sino pang mga grupo," Garcia noted. 

(We have to emphasize that when we are at that type of place or event, we cannot discriminate against or disrespect others, rival candidates, or any other group)

He reminded candidates that some remarks meant as jokes can offend others.

"Mas maganda rin sa mga kumakandidato, itataas natin nang konti 'yung diskurso at nakabase tayo sa mga issue, plataporma at mga kagustuhan nating gawin sa ating mga bayan o kaya siyudad," Garcia said.

(It would also be better for canddiates to raise the discourse and base our statements on issues, platforms and our plans for our areas)

Garcia also called on the public to weigh candidates on their statements.

"Kung sa inyong palagay, parang masakit sa isang grupo o isang lipi 'yung mga sinasabi, nasa sa inyo po 'yan kung iboboto o hindi. Pero hindi dapat gagawin ang isang masamang joke para makakuha ng boto ng mga kababayan natin," he said.

(If you think that they are saying something that is offensive to a group or sector, it is up to you if you want to vote for them. But bad jokes should not be used to gain votes)

"We have to be very discerning, hindi base na lang sa personalidad kung cute or nagpapatawa, kasi wala namang katawa-tawa ang nasabi tungkol sa kababaihan eh. This is a call to everybody, 'pag nagde-desisyon kayo pag isipan niyo ng malalim at maging mapanuri based on your values," PPCRV's Singson said.

(We have to be very discerning. We cannot base our electoral choices on whether a candidate is cute or is funny, because there was nothing funny about what was said about women. This is a call to everybody to consider things and be discerning based on your values)

'CANDIDATES SHOULD SET AN EXAMPLE'

The official also urged candidates to be a good example in following and promoting the law protecting women and other sectors.

"They're going to be future lawmakers, dapat silang nagtataguyod ng batas at may mga batas that protects kababaihan and hindi lang kababaihan, 'yung mga underprivileged sectors," Singson, who is also PPCRV spokesperson, said.

(They should uphold the laws — and there are laws that protect women and, not just women, the underprivileged sectors)

Singson also reminded candidates that they are running to be leaders in their communities.

"Ang leadership ay servant leadership. 'Yun ang tinuro sa'tin ng Diyos. At 'yun ang tamang kind of leadership, servant leadership."

(Leadership is servant readership. That is what God taught us. And that is the correct kind of leadership, servant leadership)

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