A Filipino politician is facing criticism for making offensive comments about women during his campaign, which could lead to him being disqualified from the upcoming May elections. Christian Sia, a lawyer-turned-politician running for Congress from Pasig City, made remarks during an April 3 speech that many people found sexist and disrespectful. He spoke about his assistant’s looks and also made a crude joke about single mothers.

In his speech, Sia said, “Any lonely, single mother who is still having her period, let me be clear, she should still be having her period, I will sleep with her for one night.” After backlash, he later said it was meant as a joke. election commission sent him a show cause notice, asking him to explain his comments. Women’s rights groups strongly criticized what he said, saying it made light of the real struggles that single mothers face.

Sia later apologized, saying his comment was meant to add “shock value” to his speech. He also claimed that the video shared online left out the part where the audience laughed. “If I hurt your feelings, I apologize,” he said.
Women’s rights group Gabriela has written to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, urging the Supreme Court to disbar congressional candidate Christian Sia over his offensive remark about single mothers.

The group said Sia’s apology lacked sincerity and was only made to calm the backlash he received. “It’s an attack on every woman’s dignity and a clear sign of disrespect toward the daily struggles of single mothers. With Sia, there will be no safe space for women – inside or outside the courtroom,” the group stated.

Elizabeth Angsioco, head of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines, also criticized Sia’s comments, saying that politicians who speak this way are more likely to support laws that harm women or block those that help them.

Meanwhile, Pasig councillor candidate Shamcey Supsup-Lee resigned from the campaign team of mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya, which includes Mr Sia. She said, “As a woman and a mother, I do not tolerate statements, whether made in jest or not, that insult or disrespect women. I believe this should be a moment for learning.”

 

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