WRAP: Backlash to bets’ sexist jokes a ‘significant shift’ towards respect and equality | ABS-CBN
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WRAP: Backlash to bets’ sexist jokes a ‘significant shift’ towards respect and equality
WRAP: Backlash to bets’ sexist jokes a ‘significant shift’ towards respect and equality
Students gesture during the One Billion Rising event at St. Scholastica's College in Manila on February 15, 2024. St. Scholastica's College Manila joined the One Billion Rising 2024 event for its fourth year as the institution’s way of expressing commitment to building a future where everyone, regardless of gender, can live with equality, respect, and dignity. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Students gesture during the One Billion Rising event at St. Scholastica's College in Manila on February 15, 2024. St. Scholastica's College Manila joined the One Billion Rising 2024 event for its fourth year as the institution’s way of expressing commitment to building a future where everyone, regardless of gender, can live with equality, respect, and dignity. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA — A candidate for congressman of Pasig City is facing legal troubles as well as public criticism for a campaign joke about offering to sleep with lonely single mothers in the lone district, a comment that he claimed had not caused offense in the past.
MANILA — A candidate for congressman of Pasig City is facing legal troubles as well as public criticism for a campaign joke about offering to sleep with lonely single mothers in the lone district, a comment that he claimed had not caused offense in the past.
Backlash against lawyer Christian “Ian” Sia, a former city councilor, was swift, with a video of the joke going viral and prompting condemnation from Gabriela Women’s Party, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and from candidates for senator under the administration coalition.
Backlash against lawyer Christian “Ian” Sia, a former city councilor, was swift, with a video of the joke going viral and prompting condemnation from Gabriela Women’s Party, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and from candidates for senator under the administration coalition.
The policy-making Philippine Commission on Women, which said discriminatory rhetoric has no place in public discourse, noted the public’s “active engagement” on the issue as a “significant shift toward fostering a culture of respect and equality, where harmful gender stereotypes and discrimination are actively challenged.”
The policy-making Philippine Commission on Women, which said discriminatory rhetoric has no place in public discourse, noted the public’s “active engagement” on the issue as a “significant shift toward fostering a culture of respect and equality, where harmful gender stereotypes and discrimination are actively challenged.”
Things had not always been that way — Sia, at a press conference, acknowledged his error but also said the joke had come from solo parents he had a meeting with and that he had used it in past caucuses.
Things had not always been that way — Sia, at a press conference, acknowledged his error but also said the joke had come from solo parents he had a meeting with and that he had used it in past caucuses.
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"Nakita ko na hindi naman po sila offended, so sabi ko, 'okay naman pala yung ganitong joke'," he said, saying also, however, that times have changed and that candidates and other public figures "need to improve."
"Nakita ko na hindi naman po sila offended, so sabi ko, 'okay naman pala yung ganitong joke'," he said, saying also, however, that times have changed and that candidates and other public figures "need to improve."
(I saw that they were not offended, so I thought, 'that kind of joke is okay'.)
(I saw that they were not offended, so I thought, 'that kind of joke is okay'.)
It has never been okay, PCW said, adding Sia's attempts to deflect responsibility for the gaffe by blaming the uploader of the video and saying it was meant to wake the crowd up during long assemblies "exposes a deeper issue in political discourse."
It has never been okay, PCW said, adding Sia's attempts to deflect responsibility for the gaffe by blaming the uploader of the video and saying it was meant to wake the crowd up during long assemblies "exposes a deeper issue in political discourse."
It said that public events like campaign rallies "must not be used to normalize sexist humor or reinforce harmful stereotypes under the guise of entertainment."
It said that public events like campaign rallies "must not be used to normalize sexist humor or reinforce harmful stereotypes under the guise of entertainment."
Gabriela, among the first to take Sia to task, also pointed out that his sexist joke was not an isolated incident.
Gabriela, among the first to take Sia to task, also pointed out that his sexist joke was not an isolated incident.
"[D]uring election season, women are consistently subjected to displays of machismo and misogynistic remarks from candidates who believe such behavior will win them votes or media attention," it said.
"[D]uring election season, women are consistently subjected to displays of machismo and misogynistic remarks from candidates who believe such behavior will win them votes or media attention," it said.
As proof of that, a different candidate for public office went viral over the weekend for saying that a provincial scholarship program for nursing students should only be for "beautiful women", because "ugly" ones would make male patients' health even worse.
As proof of that, a different candidate for public office went viral over the weekend for saying that a provincial scholarship program for nursing students should only be for "beautiful women", because "ugly" ones would make male patients' health even worse.
“We have long said that traditional politicians or trapos utilize more than just ‘guns, goons, and gold’ in their campaigns. There’s a 4th G: girls, who are often used as entertainment or as the butt of unfunny, demeaning jokes," Gabriela said in response to those remarks.
“We have long said that traditional politicians or trapos utilize more than just ‘guns, goons, and gold’ in their campaigns. There’s a 4th G: girls, who are often used as entertainment or as the butt of unfunny, demeaning jokes," Gabriela said in response to those remarks.
In its statement on Sia, PCW referenced a January 2025 statement on a sitting official and political candidate who made "inappropriate and sexually demeaning remarks that perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women" at a political event.
In its statement on Sia, PCW referenced a January 2025 statement on a sitting official and political candidate who made "inappropriate and sexually demeaning remarks that perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women" at a political event.
These calls have not always been heeded, with sexist and vulgar remarks in the past being explained away as just attempts to lighten the mood or just part of a politician's character.
These calls have not always been heeded, with sexist and vulgar remarks in the past being explained away as just attempts to lighten the mood or just part of a politician's character.
'IMPROVE PUBLIC DISCOURSE'
The Sia incident has revived calls for politicians and candidates to raise the level of public discourse, with the Commission on Elections reminding candidates of its Resolution No. 11116, which prohibits bullying, discrimination and labelling during the election period.
The Sia incident has revived calls for politicians and candidates to raise the level of public discourse, with the Commission on Elections reminding candidates of its Resolution No. 11116, which prohibits bullying, discrimination and labelling during the election period.
"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," Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia said Sunday.
"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," Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia said Sunday.
(It would also be better for candidates to raise the discourse and base our statements on issues, platforms and our plans for our areas.)
(It would also be better for candidates to raise the discourse and base our statements on issues, platforms and our plans for our areas.)
PCW said the electoral campaign is not "a stage for inappropriate jokes at the expense of marginalized groups" but should be a venue for discussions on policies and issues.
PCW said the electoral campaign is not "a stage for inappropriate jokes at the expense of marginalized groups" but should be a venue for discussions on policies and issues.
"Elevating the level of discourse in elections is not merely a moral responsibility—it is a necessity for a more inclusive, respectful, and progressive society," it said.
"Elevating the level of discourse in elections is not merely a moral responsibility—it is a necessity for a more inclusive, respectful, and progressive society," it said.
Election monitor Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting also reminded candidates that those aspiring for public service should be the first to uphold laws like the Magna Carta of Women and the Safe Spaces Act.
Election monitor Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting also reminded candidates that those aspiring for public service should be the first to uphold laws like the Magna Carta of Women and the Safe Spaces Act.
"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 spokesperson Ana Singson said Sunday.
"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 spokesperson Ana Singson said Sunday.
(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.)
(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.)
Comelec has issued a show-cause order to Sia, who is also facing a complaint filed by a party-list for solo parents, and said Sunday a similar one will be sent to Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter "Senior Pedro" Unabia for his comments about nurses.
Comelec has issued a show-cause order to Sia, who is also facing a complaint filed by a party-list for solo parents, and said Sunday a similar one will be sent to Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter "Senior Pedro" Unabia for his comments about nurses.
But even as institutional action on misogyny has been a welcome development, women's rights advocates acknowledge that it is the public and public sentiment that prompts these actions.
But even as institutional action on misogyny has been a welcome development, women's rights advocates acknowledge that it is the public and public sentiment that prompts these actions.
"As we approach the upcoming elections, it is imperative for the public to demand leaders who uphold respect, accountability, and the highest standards of conduct expected from those who represent us," PCW said as it called on Filipinos to continue to reject all forms of discrimination.
"As we approach the upcoming elections, it is imperative for the public to demand leaders who uphold respect, accountability, and the highest standards of conduct expected from those who represent us," PCW said as it called on Filipinos to continue to reject all forms of discrimination.
Gabriela meanwhile made a similar call to report and call out sexist statements and behavior from public officials.
Gabriela meanwhile made a similar call to report and call out sexist statements and behavior from public officials.
“Filipino women and people deserve better than these foul-mouthed trapos. Let our collective voices be heard: Zero votes for misogynists," they said.
“Filipino women and people deserve better than these foul-mouthed trapos. Let our collective voices be heard: Zero votes for misogynists," they said.
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