PASIG congressional candidate Christian Sia yesterday said his controversial “single mom” joke during one of his campaign sorties did not violate the rules of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) but is merely an exercise of his “freedom of speech.”
In his two-page response to the show cause order issued by the Comelec – Task Force SAFE, Sia said he did not see himself violating any law when he made an offer to sleep with solo mothers once a year, saying it was merely the “use of everyday banter” from ordinary people.
“While the language and tone were indeed conversational with the use of everyday banter one would expect from ordinary people, my statements were not made to discriminate, exclude, restrict, demean or harass female solo parents,” said Sia.
“My campaign events are my way of conversing with my constituents. While the words may sound brash, my speech, in its entirety, fall within my freedom of speech,” he added.
He also questioned the legality of Comelec Resolution No. 11116 or the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines, which is being used as basis for his violations.
“Clearly, these are outside the jurisdiction of the Honorable Commission, as its power is limited to the enforcement and administration of laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, and recall,” said Sia.
The Comelec issued a show cause order against Sia after a video of him telling single mothers that they can have sex with him once a year when they feel lonely as long as they are still menstruating.
In an interview, Comelec chairman George Garcia said they expected Sia to use “freedom of speech” to justify his actions.
“For us, not all freedom are absolute, especially if they will be harm the rights of others,” said Garcia.
Garcia said the Task Force SAFE will now proceed with evaluating the case of Sia.
“We will now have to balance the rights of one or the rights of many, whether it is indeed freedom of speech or is it part of the limitations,” he said.
