(UPDATE) THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified Christian "Ian" de Guzman Sia as candidate for congressman in the lone district of Pasig City for repeatedly using sexist, offensive remarks in violation of the poll body's anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines.

In a 10-page resolution promulgated on May 7, the Comelec Second Division, chaired by Commissioner Rey Bulay, and Commissioners Nelson Celis and Noli Pipo as members, found Sia liable for violation of Comelec Resolutions 11116, as amended by Resolution 11127, and Section 261(e) of the Omnibus Election Code.

The Comelec Task Force on Safeguarding Against Fear and Exclusion in Elections (Task Force SAFE), headed by Director Sonia Bea Wee-Lozada, filed a motu proprio petition for disqualification against Sia for violating on two separate occasions the commission's anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines.

"After a careful and thorough evaluation of the statements of the respondent delivered publicly, the commission (Second Division) finds sufficient basis to hold that the respondent committed election offense in violation of Section 261(e) of the OEC and Section 3 of Comelec Resolution 11116," the resolution read.

"Accordingly, Respondent is hereby DISQUALIFIED from continuing as a candidate for Member, House of Representatives, Lone Legislative District of Pasig City, in relation to the 2025 National and Local Elections," it added.

Sia may still appeal the case to the commission en banc or directly to the Supreme Court.

In the same resolution, the Second Division said that in the event that Sia obtains the highest number of votes, "his proclamation shall be suspended until the final resolution of this case."

In granting the petition for disqualification, the Second Division explained that the quoted remarks of Sia delivered in a public forum and directed at solo parents were sexually suggestive, objectifying and degrading.

In a separate campaign rally, Sia made additional remarks directed at a female staff member whom he publicly summoned to the stage. He proceeded to draw attention to her physical appearance, inviting the crowd to compare her current body to how she looked years ago and suggested that old photographs be shown for comparison.

"These acts clearly fall within the scope of Section 261(e) of the OEC.This provision penalizes acts that cause injury or disadvantage to a person's honor. In this case, the respondent's remarks, delivered during campaign activities and further amplified through media, inflicted reputational and emotional harm on the women concerned," the resolution said.

It added that Comelec Resolution 11116 sets clear standards for campaign conduct, prohibiting discriminatory, sexist or harassing language that compromises public decency and dignity.

"The respondent's repeated use of gendered, offensive remarks in his campaign engagements violated these standards and reflected conduct grossly unbecoming of one seeking public office," it said.

Sia, in response to the two show cause orders earlier issued by Task Force SAFE, argued that Resolution 11116 suffers from constitutional infirmity as it was promulgated pursuant to Section 13 of Republic Act 9006 and must be for the implementation of said law, which is in relation to equal time and opportunity in relation to the posting of election propaganda.

He further claimed that Resolution 11116 seeks to implement, among others, the Magna Carta for Women and the Safe Spaces Act, and asserted that these statutes are "outside the jurisdiction of the... commission, as its power is limited to the enforcement and administration of laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum or recall."

Gabriela party-list welcomed the Comelec decision, calling it a "clear landmark victory for women."

In a statement, Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas also said that Sia's disqualification is the first time an alleged misogynist candidate has been removed from the race.

"This ruling must serve as a wake-up call to the entire political establishment: misogyny is not just unbecoming of public servants — it is despicable and dangerous, and must be treated as such," Brosas said.

She thanked the Comelec for acting on its own the disqualification case, and for ruling in favor of solo mothers who were "utterly disrespected and degraded with Sia's lewd remarks.

"But more importantly, we thank all Filipino women who spoke out and stayed vigilant on Sia's case," Brosas said.

Meanwhile, the Comelec dismissed the disqualification petition against Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar over allegations of vote-buying.

The Comelec Task Force on Kontra Bigay, in a letter dated May 7, said that it was satisfied with Villar's explanation that she did not violate the election law against vote-buying and vote-selling, because the event in question was not a campaign sortie but a promotional event of ALLTV2 Network, where she was invited as guest.

She also said "the event took place on Feb. 9, which is prior to the start of the campaign period for senatorial candidates, which started on Feb. 11, 2025."

Villar welcomed the dismissal and thanked the Comelec.

"I assure everyone that I am running on a clean platform, pursuing only my advocacies that aim to make lives better for the Filipinos," she said.