A women’s rights group on Monday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to slap administrative sanctions on a lawyer running for a congressional post over remarks he made about single mothers during a campaign stop.
In their three-page letter addressed to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo and the Justices of the high court, women’s group Gabriela pointed out that Atty. Christian Sia’s conduct while joking on stage at a rally violates multiple provisions of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), particularly those prohibiting gender-based harassment and requiring lawyers to maintain dignified conduct.
In a video circulating online and which has reached millions of views, Sia was seen making sexually charged remarks, saying single mothers still menstruating and are lonely could sleep with him.
He later apologized and explained that he often uses jokes to get the audience’s attention when he discusses his platforms.
In an interview with reporters, Gabriela secretary general Clarice Palce reminded Sia and all other aspirants that “misogyny will not be tolerated.”
“Hindi palalampasin ng Gabriela ang anumang pambabastos sa kababaihan, laluna mula sa mga may kapangyarihan at impluwensya sa Lipunan — gaya ng abogado at kandidatong si Ian Sia (Gabriela will not let any abusive language against women especially by those who are in power and have influence in society like the lawyer and candidate Ian Sia). His remarks and non-apology thereafter reek of deep-seated misogyny and constitute serious violations of the legal profession’s ethical standards,” she said. (PNA)
