Pasig City congressional candidate Christian Sia. Photo from Sia's Facebook page

MANILA (UPDATE) — Women’s group Gabriela on Monday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to impose sanctions against lawyer Chistian Sia, who is seeking the lone congressional seat in Pasig City, over his "misogynistic" remark on solo mothers.

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In a letter submitted by the group to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, Gabriela said the behavior and words of Sia, a lawyer, during his April 3 campaign rally reeked of misogyny and sexism.

The group noted in the letter the words uttered by Sia during the event:

”Para sa mga solo parent ng Pasig, minsan sa isang taon, ang mga solo parent na babae, na nireregla pa, 'nay malinaw na nireregla pa, at nalulungkot, minsan sa isang taon, pwedeng sumiping ho sa akin. Yun hong interesado, magpalista na rito sa mesa sa gilid.”

Gabriela told the court that Sia’s actions were appalling and reprehensible.

“It is an attack against the dignity of every woman and a clear disrespect for the pain and struggle every woman solo parent endure day to day,” Gabriela Secretary General Clarice Palce said in the letter.

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While Sia already issued an apology following criticisms against his remarks, Gabriela said it was not enough.

The group said the court has continuously upheld women’s rights and rendered decisions in favor of women and children who fell victims to violence and abuse. 

Gabriela said the actions of Sia, as a member of the judiciary, undermine those efforts of the Supreme Court.

“It is in this regard that we are writing this Honorable Court to respectfully look into the incident involving Atty. Sia and to act on the matter by imposing any disciplinary action as the Honorable Court may deem fit and proper,” Gabriela said.

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Gabriela also noted that complaints against lawyers require certain rules and procedure but the court may motu proprio act on the matter.

The group also urged candidates to respect women and include women’s rights in their platforms.

“Dahil naniniwala tayo na ang eleksyon ay panahon dapat para ilatag ang mga plataporma para sa mga kababaihan, hindi dapat gamitin ang mga kababaihan bilang aliw, bilang subject ng demeaning jokes, dapat irespeto ang mga kababaihan,” Palces said.

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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered Sia to explain why he should not be disqualified for his lewd remarks in the campaign trail.

HOUSE PROBE SOUGHT

Meanwhile, a lawmaker is calling for a congressional inquiry into the enforcement of the Republic Act No. 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act following reports of candidates making what she called "sexist and gender-based statements."  

House Deputy Minority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera filed on Monday House Resolution No. 2260 urging the House of Representatives to look into how government is implementing the law. 

In a statement, Herrera said the goal is “strengthening the law’s enforcement and imposing accountability on public figures who promote sexual harassment and discriminatory conduct.”

The lawmaker said the resolution follows what she described as "deeply troubling public behavior" from Sia, the Pasig congressional candidate.  

"These public statements constitute gender-based harassment and discrimination, particularly against solo mothers and women in the nursing profession, and are violative of the core principles enshrined in the Safe Spaces Act," Herrera said.

She said the incident underscores the need to check the enforcement of the law.

"The widespread circulation and normalization of these remarks, especially during the election period, call into question the effectiveness of the law’s enforcement mechanisms, particularly in monitoring, preventing, and penalizing acts committed by public officials and candidates," Herrera said.

Herrera believes there is "an urgent need to assess" if concerned government agencies like the Comelec, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Government and local government units have clear protocols and enough authority "to investigate, respond to and penalize" such violations by public officials and candidates.

Aside from the probe, the resolution also urged the House to “recommend measures that will ensure effective enforcement, institutional accountability, and protection of vulnerable and marginalized sectors from gender-based harassment in all settings. 

'REMINDER'

House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V reminded fellow candidates to be more cautious when speaking before the public. 

He was responding to the incident involving Sia and Misamis Oriental governor Peter Unabia, who also made a sexist remark regarding the nursing profession.

"Well, ako as a candidate ano, iba na po ang mundong ginagalawan po natin ngayon. We are virtually and physically connected to the world. Kailangan po siguro mas sensitive tayo, mas maingat tayo," he said. (11:35 am)

Ortega said instead of uttering offensive jokes or remarks, candidates should say positive statements or inspiring messages.

When asked to respond to Sia's explanation that he only uttered the "joke" to draw the crowd's attention, the La Union lawmaker did not completely agree.

"Depende sa pulitiko yan. Ako, okay naman. Depende po sa lugar, depende po sa tao, pero I've seen a lot of great talkers, great politicians na minsan kahit ngumiti lang sila, tatahimik na ‘yung buong crowd eh," Ortega said. 

For more news and features on Philippine elections, visit the ABS-CBN News' Halalan 2025 page.

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