Philippine politician’s ‘sleep with single mums’ remarks spark misogyny row

Christian Sia – a candidate running in next month’s midterm elections to represent Metro Manila’s Pasig City in Congress – was given until Monday to explain why he should not be sanctioned or removed from the ballot under rules banning discriminatory and sexist behaviour. At the time of publication it was unclear if Sia had responded to the commission’s order.

Sonia Wee-Lozada, director of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Task Force SAFE, issued the show-cause order on Friday after a video of Sia’s remarks during a campaign rally on Thursday went viral.

In the video, the lawyer and accountant – an alumnus of two prestigious Catholic universities – declared: “Any lonely, single mother who is still having her period, let me be clear, she should still be having her period, I will sleep with her for one night.”

Sia has since issued a half-hearted apology, saying the offer was merely a joke since he is married. He blamed his rivals for posting an edited clip online that omitted the audience’s laughter in response to his joke, which he claimed he made to alleviate their boredom.