In a political landscape where rhetoric matters as much as policy, a congressional candidate in the Philippines has drawn widespread condemnation for his inappropriate and offensive remarks. Christian Sia, a lawyer and aspiring lawmaker from Pasig City, ignited controversy during his campaign trail with comments widely regarded as sexist and misogynistic.
As election season intensifies ahead of the May polls, the uproar over Sia’s words has not only damaged his reputation but also prompted formal actions from both civil society and the election commission.
Controversial Remarks and Public Outrage
Christian Sia’s political campaign took a controversial turn when he made a highly offensive comment during a public election caucus. Sia declared that he would “sleep with any lonely, single mother who is still having her period,” a statement that stunned the public and sparked instant backlash.
He attempted to pass the remark off as a joke meant to inject “shock value” into his speech, but many in the audience and across the nation didn’t find it funny. Women’s rights groups, netizens, and fellow politicians swiftly condemned the statement, calling it an affront to women, especially to single mothers who already face societal stigma and economic challenges.
Following the backlash, Christian Sia issued an apology, though critics noted that it appeared insincere and more like damage control. “If I hurt your feelings, I apologise,” he said, while also blaming the video uploader for not showing the audience’s reaction, which he claimed was laughter. This explanation did little to douse the flames of outrage.
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The women’s advocacy group Gabriela penned a formal letter to the Chief Justice of the Philippines, urging the Supreme Court to disbar Sia for his disgraceful remarks.
‘HINDI KO MAIWASANG ISIPIN NA PULITIKA ANG NASA LIKOD NITO’
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) April 4, 2025
In a press release distributed during Pasig congressional candidate Ian Sia’s press conference, Sia blames Pasig Mayor @VicoSotto for making his ‘sex for single moms’ joke a national issue. #Halalan2025 | via… pic.twitter.com/iPDrZDa9LJ
The group emphasized that the apology lacked sincerity and was only a strategic move to curb public backlash. Gabriela’s statement was blunt: “It is an attack against the dignity of every woman and a clear disrespect for the pain and struggle every single mother endures day to day.”
Legal Consequences and Political Fallout
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) responded promptly, issuing not one but two show cause notices to Christian Sia. The first notice concerned his vulgar statement about sleeping with single mothers. The second stemmed from another incident on April 3, in which Sia allegedly made remarks about his female assistant’s physical appearance.
According to Comelec chair George Erwin Garcia, the assistant has yet to file a formal complaint, but the body’s anti-discrimination task force may independently pursue action based on existing evidence.
These show cause notices are part of Comelec’s broader effort to promote respectful and inclusive election campaigns. The poll body’s Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections was particularly alarmed by Christian Sia’s repeated displays of insensitivity and objectification. His conduct has raised serious questions about his fitness for public office and whether such attitudes could influence future legislative behavior.
The controversy surrounding Christian Sia also triggered internal political consequences. Pasig councilor hopeful Shamcey Supsup-Lee, a respected public figure and a former beauty queen, announced her resignation from the mayoral campaign team that includes Christian Sia.
In her public statement, she said, “As a woman and a mother, I do not tolerate statements – whether made in jest or in earnest – that diminish or disrespect women.” Her decision underscores a growing divide within political alliances, driven by moral and ethical principles.
A Pattern of Sexism in Politics
Christian Sia is not alone in facing scrutiny for sexist statements. In a parallel incident, Misamis Oriental governor and political candidate Peter Unabia made headlines for stating that scholarships would only be given to “beautiful” female nursing students.
Unabia claimed that unattractive nurses might worsen male patients’ health conditions, a statement met with widespread ridicule and outrage. The Comelec responded by issuing a show cause notice to Unabia as well.
These incidents have reignited debates around sexism in Philippine politics. Women’s groups argue that such remarks reflect a deep-rooted culture of misogyny that remains unchecked within the political sphere.
Elizabeth Angsioco, chair of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines, warned that politicians who express such views are more likely to oppose legislation that supports women’s rights and protections.
The controversy has brought renewed attention to the importance of gender sensitivity in public discourse. Advocates argue that political candidates must undergo training and education on gender issues to prevent such incidents from recurring. Furthermore, they stress the need for accountability mechanisms to ensure that those who cross the line face real consequences, not just temporary public shaming.
Christian Sia’s remarks have opened a broader conversation about the challenges women face in Philippine society, especially those raising families on their own. Single mothers, who already face social judgment and economic hardship, were deeply offended by being used as a punchline in a political campaign. For many, Sia’s words were not just inappropriate but dehumanizing.
Christian Sia’s remarks about sleeping with lonely single mothers have turned his congressional campaign into a cautionary tale about the power and consequences of words in politics. Despite attempts to deflect the controversy with claims of humor and audience laughter, the public response has been unequivocal in its condemnation.
Women’s rights groups, election officials, and even political allies have distanced themselves from the candidate, signaling that such behavior is increasingly unacceptable in a society striving for gender equality and decency in public life.
The ongoing legal and political fallout from Christian Sia’s remarks may ultimately derail his candidacy, serving as a warning to others about the cost of sexism and insensitivity in the modern political arena. With elections approaching, the Filipino electorate is watching closely — not just the promises of candidates, but also their values and respect for fellow citizens.