06/04/2025
HERRERA WELCOMES COMELEC RESPONSE TO PASIG CANDIDATEâS LEWD REMARKS ABOUT SOLO MOTHERS
House Deputy Minority Leader and Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera welcomed the swift action of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against a congressional candidate in Pasig City over his widely criticized remarks about solo mothers, saying it underscores the need for decency and respect in the countryâs political campaigns.
âPublic service is a serious responsibility. Candidates who resort to lewd jokes and misogynistic behavior only reveal their lack of respect for the people they claim to serve,â Herrera said.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia earlier condemned the remarks made by Atty. Christian Sia, who is running for congressman in Pasig Cityâs second district, saying: âBakit kailangang bumaba tayo sa ganyang lebel? Hindi tamang biro âyan.â
In a recent campaign event, Sia was caught on video saying: âPara sa mga solo parent ng Pasig, minsan sa isang taon ang mga solo parent na babae na nireregla paââNay malinaw nireregla paâat nalulungkot, minsan sa isang taon pwedeng sumiping ho sa akin. âYun hong interesado magpalista na sa mesa sa gilid.â
The video quickly went viral online, sparking criticism from various groups and prompting Comelecâs Task Force SAFE (Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections) to issue a show cause order against Sia.
The order cited a possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 11116, or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the May 2025 elections.
It specifically mentions Section 3, which defines certain discriminatory or harassing conduct as election offensesâincluding gender-based harassment and discrimination against women.
The Comelec noted that the statement may constitute âa possible violationâ of election rules prohibiting acts of public ridicule, labeling, or gender-based harassment.
Sia has been directed to respond to the show cause order, copies of which have also been shared publicly by the poll body.
Herrera, who is one of the principal authors of the Safe Spaces Act or Republic Act No. 11313, also known as the Bawal Bastos Law, said political candidates should be reminded that the law covers public spacesâincluding campaign events.
âThe Safe Spaces Act was enacted to create an environment where women and vulnerable groups are free from harassment and objectification. Candidates for public office should be setting an example, not violating the spirit of this law,â she said.
Signed into law in 2019, the Safe Spaces Act penalizes gender-based sexual harassment in streets, public spaces, workplaces, schools, and online platforms.
The Comelec has yet to announce whether it will pursue further administrative or legal action against Sia, pending his response to the show cause order.
Herreraâs statement comes after an earlier rebuke from Redd de Guzman, Secretary General of the National Council for Solo Parents Inc. and BH Party-listâs third nominee, who called Siaâs comments âdisrespectful and dehumanizing.â
De Guzman also warned that solo parentsâparticularly solo mothersâshould not be used as material for inappropriate political humor.
BH Party-list has been at the forefront of pushing for the full implementation of the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, which Herrera said had been delayed for two years since its passage.
The law provides solo parents with additional protections and benefits, including leave credits and discounts on essential goods.
âNo one seeking public office should resort to tasteless jokes or demeaning statements to get attention,â Herrera said. # # #
