Pasig congressional candidate Christian “Ian” Sia remains defiant after being disqualified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for making lewd and discriminatory remarks during his campaign. Despite the ruling, Sia asserted that he can still be voted upon and even win the upcoming elections.
“Comelec can only suspend the proclamation if I win, until the case is ultimately dismissed,” Sia said. “If it is true that Pasigueños are intelligent voters, our team’s… win is almost assured.”
Sia was disqualified by the Comelec Second Division following a motu proprio petition filed by its anti-discrimination panel. The petition cited Sia’s public comments targeting single mothers and remarks about the weight of his former assistant as violations of the Safe Spaces Act. The ruling found him guilty of violating Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code and Section 3 of Comelec Resolution No. 11116, which prohibits discriminatory language against women during the campaign period.
In a strongly worded statement, Sia criticized the ruling, saying he was not given due process. “Nabasa ko po ‘yung decision, ginamit pong dahilan ‘yung diumano’y violation ng Safe Spaces Act para i-disqualify po ako. Una po, hindi ko po natanggap ‘yung kopya ng petition na dinesisyunan, therefore I was not given procedural due process.”
Sia also claimed that the Comelec was uncertain of its decision. “MALI PO ANG DESISYON and COMELEC knows it kaya may colatilla ang desisyon nila na if I win they will suspend the proclamation until the disqualification case is finally resolved.”
Drawing comparisons, Sia invoked other controversial public figures, including detained religious leader Apollo Quiboloy and Senator Bato dela Rosa, to argue that public figures facing allegations are still allowed to run for office while cases are pending.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia clarified that Sia, like all candidates, has the right to appeal the ruling. “The candidate may still elevate the case to the Comelec en banc and ultimately to the Supreme Court,” Garcia said.
As the 2025 elections draw near, Sia’s disqualification adds another layer of complexity to the political scene in Pasig. Whether his claims will sway voters—or the courts—remains to be seen.