Sia gets show cause order for lewd joke
(UPDATE) THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a show cause order against Pasig City representative candidate Christian Sia for alleged violation of campaigning guidelines. During a campaign rally on April 3, Sia, a lawyer, said in jest that single mothers can sleep with him once a year. The Comelec Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (Task Force SAFE) gave Sia three days to explain why charges should not be filed against him. "In view of the foregoing, you are hereby ordered to SHOW CAUSE in writing within a non-extendible period of three days from receipt hereof and to explain why a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against you," read part of the three-page order sent to Sia on Tuesday, signed by the task force's head Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada. The lewd joke drew backlash from netizens, particularly women's rights advocates and legal groups. It prompted Sia to issue a public apology for the act, saying it would not happen again. "In our view, the foregoing constitutes possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 1116 of the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for Purposes of the 12 May National and Local elections and BARMM Parliamentary elections, specifically, Section 3," Task Force SAFE said. Meanwhile, Shamcey Supsup-Lee, a former beauty queen and Sia's fellow candidate in Team KAYA, announced her withdrawal from the opposition slate because of the incident. "After careful thought and reflection, I have respectfully decided to resign from KAYA THIS. When I joined the team, it was with sincere hope that we could work together for meaningful change. But recent events have made it clear that my values, especially those shaped by my experience as a woman, a mother, and a leader, no longer align with the direction the team is taking," Supsup said in a statement. "This decision is not made lightly, but with full respect for my fellow aspirants, for the Miss Universe Philippines Organization whose mission I carry, and for the many women and girls who look to me for strength and clarity," she added.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
(UPDATE) THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a show cause order against Pasig City representative candidate Christian Sia for alleged violation of campaigning guidelines.
During a campaign rally on April 3, Sia, a lawyer, said in jest that single mothers can sleep with him once a year.
The Comelec Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (Task Force SAFE) gave Sia three days to explain why charges should not be filed against him.
"In view of the foregoing, you are hereby ordered to SHOW CAUSE in writing within a non-extendible period of three days from receipt hereof and to explain why a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against you," read part of the three-page order sent to Sia on Tuesday, signed by the task force's head Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada.
The lewd joke drew backlash from netizens, particularly women's rights advocates and legal groups.
It prompted Sia to issue a public apology for the act, saying it would not happen again.
"In our view, the foregoing constitutes possible violation of Comelec Resolution No. 1116 of the Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines for Purposes of the 12 May National and Local elections and BARMM Parliamentary elections, specifically, Section 3," Task Force SAFE said.
Meanwhile, Shamcey Supsup-Lee, a former beauty queen and Sia's fellow candidate in Team KAYA, announced her withdrawal from the opposition slate because of the incident.
"After careful thought and reflection, I have respectfully decided to resign from KAYA THIS. When I joined the team, it was with sincere hope that we could work together for meaningful change. But recent events have made it clear that my values, especially those shaped by my experience as a woman, a mother, and a leader, no longer align with the direction the team is taking," Supsup said in a statement.
"This decision is not made lightly, but with full respect for my fellow aspirants, for the Miss Universe Philippines Organization whose mission I carry, and for the many women and girls who look to me for strength and clarity," she added.
