ELECTION watchdog Kontra Daya yesterday called on the congressional candidate in Pasig City who went viral for making a single mom joke to quit the May 12 elections to save face and prevent further embarrassment.
In a statement, Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao said it would be best for Christian Sia to just withdraw from the congressional race.
“What kind of candidate in their right mind would crack jokes to make fun of menstruation and solo parenting? To claim that it was just a joke is as disappointing as it is idiotic,” said Arao.
“He should save whatever’s left of his dignity not just by complying with the Comelec’s show-cause order but also by withdrawing his candidacy now,” he added.
Kontra Daya issued the statement after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued a show cause order against Sia and gave him a non-extendible period of three days from receipt to explain why a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against him.
The poll body issued the order after a video of Sia saying single mothers can have sex with him once a year when they feel lonely as long as they are still menstruating went viral on social media platforms.
Arao said the Comelec should not dilly-dally in holding Sia accountable for his public statement, which he said violates the “Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines.”
“We challenge them (Comelec) to make a swift and decisive action against him (Sia) if they’re really serious about upholding and enforcing their anti-discrimination resolution,” he said.
Arao likewise urged voters of Pasig City to reassess their choice of candidates for the May 12 polls.
“Pasigueños should think twice about supporting candidates who promote misogyny and normalize gender discrimination,” he said.
In a related development, Comelec chairman George Garcia said he will push for the declaration of campaign rallies, among others, as safe spaces for all so the poll body can reinforce the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for the forthcoming elections.
“I will sponsor a resolution for the Commission en banc’s consideration declaring campaign rallies, caucuses, polling places, precincts and canvassing centers, and online election platforms as safe spaces,” he said.
“Sexist remarks and gender discrimination has no place in a civilized society, more so in a political campaign,” he added.
Garcia’s comment is in relation to a statement of reelectionist Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia that the province’s nursing scholarship is exclusive for female nursing students who are good-looking because having ugly nurses can supposedly contribute to the deterioration of a patient’s health.
Just like Sia, Garcia said they will also seek the explanation of Unabia for his statement.
“We will not stop issuing show cause orders until somebody is punished,” he said.
