THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) 2nd Division disqualified Pasig City congressional bet, Christian “Ian” Sia, over what it ruled were lewd and discriminatory remarks made during his campaign.
The decision, issued on Wednesday, May 7, stems from a motu proprio petition filed by Comelec’s Anti-Discrimination Panel.
The panel flagged comments Sia made on April 3 that targeted single mothers with sexually suggestive jokes and appeared to fat-shame a former female assistant.
“Respondent is hereby DISQUALIFIED from continuing as a candidate for Member, House of Representatives, Lone Legislative District of Pasig City in relation to the 2025 National and Local Elections,” the ruling stated.
However, Comelec Chair George Garcia said the ruling is not yet final and Sia could still appeal his case.
“This is historic, if I should say,” Garcia told reporters during a press conference in Manila on Thursday.
Sia’s remarks, made during separate campaign caucuses, included an offensive joke offering annual sexual favors to single mothers — but only those “still menstruating” — as well as body-shaming comments about a former staff member.
In response to two show-cause orders issued by the Comelec Task Force Safe, Sia defended his statements, invoking his constitutional right to free speech.
“While the words may sound brash, my speech, in its entirety, falls within my freedom of speech,” Sia wrote in an April 8 letter to the commission.
