More solons call out Pasig congressional bet over sexist remarks
Pasig City congressional candidate Ian Sia. Photo from Sia’s Facebook page.
MANILA, Philippines — More lawmakers have called out Pasig City congressional candidate Ian Sia over his sexist and obscene remarks, including an advocate of women’s rights who said that such statements only stress the need for amendments to strengthen existing laws against verbal abuse and discrimination.
House of Representatives Committee on women and gender equality chairperson and Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman said in a statement said that Sia’s actions are a reminder of why the country needs “stronger accountability for public officials who exhibit misogynistic behavior.”
Sia, who is running under the ticket of Pasig mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya, said in a previous campaign sortie that lonely single mothers can have sex with him. Roman meanwhile said this behavior should not be tolerated, especially from someone seeking a seat in the House.
“Misogyny, homophobia, and all forms of gender-based harassment should never be tolerated, especially from someone who is seeking to serve and represent the people. Public officials should be held to the highest standards of conduct, as they have the responsibility to lead by example and promote an environment of respect and inclusivity,” Roman said on Sunday.
“This incident highlights the urgent need for the amendments we are pushing to strengthen the Safe Spaces Act. On behalf of the committee on women and gender equality, we have proposed amendments that will impose stricter penalties for public figures who engage in misogynistic, homophobic, or discriminatory behavior,” she added.
La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V said in a press briefing on Monday that he believes no new law is needed to prevent such incidents — noting that candidates should be more sensitive with their statements.
“Well ako as a candidate, iba na po ang mundo na ginagalawan natin ngayon. We are virtually and physically connected to the world, kailangan po siguro mas sensitive tayo, mas maingat po tayo. Sabi ko nga eh, very 80s po ‘yong dating ng mga gano’n na joke kasi syempre, ‘yong mga ibang pulitiko dati, parang sometimes they use that to get a reaction, makakuha ng reaction sa crowd,” he said.
“Nag-iiba po, mas open po ang mind ng mga tao ngayon, mas sensitive sila sa mga nangyari. On our part, sa inyo sa media, sa’min sa mga public servants, sa atin po na mas may bosses, may platforms, saka mas pinapakingganan tao, dapat po, que sa we go down that path at gano’n po ‘yong mga gamitin natin sa mga speeches, eh mas maganda po ‘yong nagbibigay tayo ng positive na mensahe,” he added.
According to Ortega, he has seen some politicians who did not need to resort to degrading jokes to attract voters’ attention.
“Depende sa pulitiko ‘yan. Ako okay naman, depende po sa lugar, depende po sa tao, pero I’ve seen a lot of great talkers, I’ve seen a lot of great politicians na minsan kahit ngumiti lang sila, tatahimik na ‘yong buong crowd eh,” he said.
“Ewan ko. Hindi may explain ng theory or ng political science ‘yong ganyan, sabi nga nila […] hindi na aral kasi yung charisma sa kanyong dating sa tao. So to add to your question, to your point, depende po talaga sa tao, parang walang explanation tungkol dun,” he added.
Sia was presenting his platforms to city residents when he said that being a lawmaker means crafting laws for the entire Philippines and not only for Pasig. He then said that he would check on the welfare of single parents by offering himself to sleep with single mothers.
Different government officials have already called out Sia, with Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian saying that members of marginalized sectors, like single parents, should not be targets of jokes and insults, especially lewd ones.
Former actress and Pasig Councilor Angelu de Leon also expressed her dismay at the “misogynistic” remarks from Sia, noting that the country had just recently celebrated women’s month in March, and single mothers are being hailed this April.
Sia meanwhile claimed that his opponents were blowing his joke out of proportion.
Last Friday, House Assistant Majority Leader and Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre urged Pasig City residents to refrain from voting for Sia, saying that such jokes should not be allowed — whether or not the country is in an election season.
READ: House official tells Pasig voters: Don‘t pick bets who disrespect women
“It is not proper during this election season — or even if there are no elections — to make such jokes. But if you’ll ask me, the best thing that we can do, even if I am not a voter in Pasig, is for people to refrain from picking these kinds of candidates — those who are disrespectful of women, those who make fun of our women,” Acidre said.
Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, meanwhile, slammed Sia’s actions and Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia’s statements, in which the latter said that only beautiful women should become nurses as ugly ones may worsen a patient’s condition.
“This is a gross display of misogyny and discrimination. Ito ay tahasang pambabastos, hindi lang sa mga nars, kundi sa buong hanay ng kababaihan,” Brosas said on Sunday.
(This is a gross display of misogyny and discrimination. This is a blatant disrespect not only of nurses, but of the entire ranks of women in the country.)
“Ang pagiging nurse ay batay sa kakayahan, kaalaman, at malasakit, hindi sa itsura. Hindi physical appearance ng nurses ang problema ng ating health system, kundi ang ‘pangit’ na pamamahala at pagpapabaya ng gobyerno sa kalusugan ng mamamayan,” she said.
(Being a nurse is based on abilities, knowledge, and care for patients, not on looks. Physical appearance of nurses is not the problem of our healthcare system, but the bad management and negligence of government towards public health.)
