Pasig bet Ian Sia slapped with 2nd show cause order

Metro Manila, Philippines - Just days after receiving a show cause order from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for a viral lewd joke about single mothers, Pasig congressional candidate Christian “Ian” Sia is facing another reprimand.

The poll body’s Task Force SAFE (Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections) on Tuesday, April 8 issued a second show cause order to Sia over remarks made during an April 3 campaign event. At the event, he introduced a female staff member he described as “mataba (fat),” then asked the audience, “Iyan po ba ang magiging staff ng manyak (Would that be the staff of a pervert)?”

The comment appeared to be a response to backlash over his earlier joke in which he offered to sleep with single mothers.

As with the first case, Comelec said Sia’s latest remarks may constitute discrimination against women and gender-based harassment, potentially violating the poll body’s anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines.

Sia was given three days to explain why he should not face an election offense case or petition for disqualification.