Sia's fate up to Pasig voters - DSWD chief

Following congressional candidate Christian Sia's apology over lewd remarks against single mothers, it is now up to Pasig voters on May 12 to determine whether he is forgiven or not, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said yesterday.

- EMMANUEL TUPAS

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it will strengthen its policies to curb gender-based harassment during campaign sorties.

Gatchalian was among the government officials who called out Sia for his "offensive" joke.

"The best ones to judge this issue are the Pasigueños. Let them decide in a couple of weeks," he said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

Gatchalian also said they are willing to assist solo parents who felt slighted by Sia's joke in filing complaints against the congressional aspirant.

"No person, whoever, candidate or non-candidate, has the right to make a joke about the sufferings of their fellowmen, especially when that person belongs to the vulnerable sector, those persons with disabilities, solo parents and elderly," Gatchalian said in a separate interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo.

According to Comelec Chairman George Garcia, there is a need to reinforce the Commission's guidelines promoting respect for the different sectors, which political bets should observe, especially during the campaign period.

"I will sponsor next week a resolution for en banc consideration declaring campaign rallies, caucuses, polling places, precincts and canvassing centers and online election platforms as safe spaces," Garcia said in a short statement yesterday.