The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division has issued a summons to Christian “Ian” Sia, a candidate for Pasig’s lone congressional seat in the May 2025 elections, requiring him to respond within five days to a disqualification petition filed against him.
The petition, submitted by the Comelec Task Force SAFE, alleges that Sia violated anti-discrimination policies due to controversial remarks about single mothers and alleged misogynistic comments directed at a female staff member.
The four-page summons, dated April 21, directs Sia to file a verified answer and memorandum in response to the disqualification petition and accompanying motion to suspend his potential proclamation. Comelec warns that failure to respond within the deadline would forfeit his right to present counter-evidence.
Sia may file his response in person or via email. The Comelec also stated that certain pleadings, such as motions to dismiss or replies, are not allowed—although valid grounds for dismissal may be raised as part of his defense.
The controversy stems from Sia’s earlier statement suggesting that single mothers might sleep with him once a year, which drew strong backlash. The Gabriela Women’s Party also asked the Supreme Court to act on the issue, prompting a separate show cause order from the high court.
Although Sia has since apologized, he argued that his comments fall within his right to free speech and were not discriminatory.
Comelec Resolution No. 11116, which underpins the case, prohibits discriminatory or offensive conduct during campaigns. The rule was later expanded by Resolution No. 11127 to classify all election-related events and online spaces as safe environments, explicitly banning acts like discrimination, obscenity, and incitement as election offenses.