Team DailyPedia
Pasig City congressional candidate Atty. I has come under intense fire after a video of him making a sexually suggestive joke about single mothers went viral, prompting public condemnation, a formal investigation by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and outrage from city officials and netizens alike.
In the viral clip from an April 2 campaign sortie, Sia said: “Minsan sa isang taon, ang mga solo parent na babae na nireregla pa – Nay, malinaw, nireregla pa – at nalulungkot, minsan sa isang taon, puwedeng sumiping ho sa akin.”
“’Yung mga interesado, magpalista sa gilid. Biro lang ho, may asawa na ako,” he added, as the audience laughed.
While Sia defended the remark as a joke meant to grab attention, backlash was swift.
He later issued an apology during a rally: “Ngunit ako ay nakasakit sa aking sinabi, humihingi po ako ng taos-pusong dispensa.”
But he also urged supporters to “be mad at the uploader” for showing only the joke and not the crowd’s reaction.
“Wag po kayo magalit sakin, magalit po kayo sa gumawa ng video… Ang nakita lang sa video ‘yung sinabi, pero ‘yung reaksyon ng tao, hindi nakita na tumawa,” he said.
The Commission on Elections responded by issuing a show cause order against Sia through its Task Force Safe, demanding that he explain within three days why he should not be disqualified or charged for an election offense. The Comelec cited potential violations of Resolution No. 11116, which protects marginalized groups from discrimination during the election period.
Comelec Chair George Garcia expressed concern over the impact of such behavior: “Bakit kailangan bumaba sa level na ganyan sa pangangampanya?… Kahit na sabihin nagbibiro ‘yan, hindi ho tamang biro ‘yan.”
“Hindi pwedeng palampasin. Kung pinayagan natin ito, ano pa ang susunod? Bastusan na lang ba ang eleksyon?”
Pasig City Councilor Angelu De Leon-Rivera, chairperson of the Committee on Social Services and Solo Parent Affairs, was one of the first to speak out without naming Sia directly: “Ang ganitong uri ng mga salita ay hindi lamang nakakainsulto sa mga kababaihan, kundi pati na rin sa ating lipunan. BAWAL ANG BASTOS SA PASIG.”
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian also condemned the statement in a Facebook post: “As DSWD secretary, I simply do not find this funny… Let’s not underestimate voters. They may laugh, but that doesn’t mean they’ll vote for you.”
“Single parents are heroes. They raise their children alone through sheer sacrifice. Let’s not marginalize them further.”
The video drew over 1 million views on X (formerly Twitter), sparking heated conversations and calls for accountability.
Celebrities like Ara Mina, who was seen laughing in the video, also received criticism from netizens—especially given her connection to solo parents herself.
Netizens didn’t mince words: “This is sick. Nakakasuka ang mga ganitong politicians.”
“Imagine, lawyer pa ‘yan. Wala bang magpa-disbar sa kanya?”
“Solo moms are not punchlines.”
Despite the backlash, Sia attempted to refocus the narrative by attacking his opponent, incumbent Mayor Vico Sotto, accusing him of having no accomplishments over the past six years.
“Pansinin niyo, lahat na lang pinuna sa akin – pantalon, pag-upo. Pero ‘yung mensahe ko, na walang accomplishment si Mayor Vico, hindi nila masalungat.”
He insisted the election should focus on policies, not personal attacks: “Ang eleksyon ho ay hindi tungkol sa akin, kundi tungkol po ito sa kinabukasan ng mga Pasigueño.”
Sia’s statement, now widely condemned, has become a flashpoint in the discussion about sexism and conduct in Philippine politics—highlighting the urgent need for a more respectful and issue-driven electoral discourse.
Whether Sia’s candidacy will survive this firestorm remains to be seen, but as Comelec Chair Garcia emphasized: “Kung ganyan lang naman, joke na lang ang ihahalal natin.”
