2025 Pasig local elections
{{Short description|11th City elections in Pasig}}
{{use mdy|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2025 Pasig local elections
| previous_election = 2022 Pasig local elections
| previous_year = 2022
| next_election = 2028 Pasig local elections
| next_year = 2028
| election_date = {{start date|2025|05|12}}
| flag_image = Pasig City Seal Logo.svg
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| module = {{Infobox election
| embed = yes
| election_name = Mayoral election
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| alliance_name = no
| image2 = {{CSS image crop|Image = 3x4.svg|Size = 120|cWidth = 120|cHeight = 160|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| candidate2 = Sarah Discaya
| party2 = Unyon ng mga Gabay ng Bayan
| alliance2 = Team Kaya This
| running_mate2 = Iyo Bernardo
| popular_vote2 = 29,591
| percentage2 = 7.75%
| color2 = E41B17
| image1 = {{CSS image crop|Image = Vico Sotto, Mayor of Pasig (cropped).jpg|bSize = 120|cWidth = 120|cHeight = 160|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| candidate1 = Vico Sotto
| party1 = Independent (politician)
| running_mate1 = Robert Jaworski Jr.
| popular_vote1 = 351,392
| percentage1 = 92.09%
| color1 = 114599
| alliance1 = Giting ng Pasig
| title = Mayor
| before_election = Vico Sotto
| before_party = Giting ng Pasig
| after_election = Vico Sotto
| after_party = Giting ng Pasig
| module = {{Infobox election
| embed = yes
| election_name = Vice mayoral election
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| alliance_name = no
| image2 = {{CSS image crop|Image = 3x4.svg|Size = 120|cWidth = 120|cHeight = 160|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| candidate2 = Iyo Bernardo
| party2 = Independent politician
| alliance2 = Team Kaya This
| popular_vote2 = 72,227
| percentage2 = 19.62%
| color2 = E41B17
| image1 = {{CSS image crop|Image = Robert Jaworski Jr., Vice Mayor of Pasig.jpg|bSize = 120|cWidth = 120|cHeight = 160|oTop = 0|oLeft = 0}}
| candidate1 = Robert Jaworski Jr.
| party1 = Independent (politician)
| alliance1 = Giting ng Pasig
| popular_vote1 = 290,237
| percentage1 = 78.84%
| color1 = 114599
| title = Vice Mayor
| before_election = Robert Jaworski Jr.
| before_party = Giting ng Pasig
| after_election = Robert Jaworski Jr.
| after_party = Giting ng Pasig
}}
}}
| opinion_polls =
| turnout =
}}
Local elections were held in Pasig on Monday, May 12, 2025, as part of the 2025 Philippine general election. The electorate will elect a mayor, a vice mayor, twelve members of the Pasig City Council, and one representative to the House of Representatives of the Philippines. The officials elected in the election will assume their respective offices on June 30, 2025, for a three-year-long term.
The election is primarily contested around the two rival tickets Giting ng Pasig headed by the reelectionist Mayor Vico Sotto, and Team Kaya This, headed by businesswoman Sarah Discaya. Sotto is running for this third and final term as Mayor of Pasig, having been in office since 2019.
Background
Several graft cases have been filed against incumbent mayor Vico Sotto, the first ones he has faced in his political career, which he believes are politically motivated.{{cite news |last1=Domingo |first1=Katrina |date=August 26, 2024 |title=Vico Sotto: ‘Disgruntled’ ex-City Hall workers part of group behind graft cases |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/26/vico-sotto-disgruntled-ex-city-hall-workers-part-of-group-behind-graft-cases-2145 |access-date=October 1, 2024 |work=Abante}} The cases stem from allegedly distributing shirts instead of cash allowances to city hall employees,{{cite news |last1=Servallos |first1=Neil Jayson |date=August 20, 2024 |title=Vico Sotto, 3 others face graft raps |url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2024/08/20/2379067/vico-sotto-3-others-face-graft-raps |access-date=October 1, 2024 |work=Philippine Star}} and for allegedly giving an illegal tax discount to telco company Converge ICT.{{cite news |last1=Panti |first1=Llanesca |date=August 13, 2024 |title=Mayor Vico Sotto faces graft complaint over alleged illegal discount to telco |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/916859/mayor-vico-sotto-faces-graft-complaint-over-alleged-illegal-discount-to-telco/story/ |access-date=October 1, 2024 |work=GMA News Online}} In addition, a petition for a temporary restraining order has also been filed against the implementation of Mayor Sotto's flagship project, the ₱9.6-billion reconstruction of the Pasig City Hall Complex.{{cite news |last1= |first1= |date=August 21, 2024 |title=TRO sought vs. new Pasig city hall project |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/917834/tro-new-pasig-city-hall-project/story/ |access-date=October 1, 2024 |work=GMA News Online}}
Candidates
Note: Candidates in italics indicate incumbents seeking reelection.
{{col-begin}}{{col-3}}
=Administration coalition=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style=font-size:90%" | ||
colspan="5" bgcolor="#114599" | | ||
Position
!# | width=150px|Candidate | colspan="2" width="110px" |Party |
---|---|---|
scope="row" | Mayor
| 4. |{{party name with colour|Independent}} | ||
scope="row" | Vice mayor
| 3. |{{party name with colour|Independent}} | ||
scope="row" | Representative
| 1. |{{party name with colour|Nationalist People's Coalition}} | ||
scope="row" rowspan="6" | Councilor (1st district)
| 4. |Volta Delos Santos |{{party name with colour|Akay National Political Party}} | ||
6.
|Eric Gonzales |{{party name with colour|Nationalist People's Coalition}} | ||
11.
|Kiko Rustia |{{party name with colour|Nationalist People's Coalition}} | ||
13.
|Pao Santiago |{{party name with colour|Nationalist People's Coalition}} | ||
14.
|Paul Senogat |{{party name with colour|Akbayan}} | ||
15.
|Simon Romulo Tantoco |{{party name with colour|Nationalist People's Coalition}} | ||
scope="row" rowspan="6" | Councilor (2nd district)
| 1. |Buboy Agustin |{{party name with colour|Nationalist People's Coalition}} | ||
8.
|{{party name with colour|Independent}} | ||
10.
|Ryan Enriquez |{{party name with colour|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino}} | ||
13.
|Warren Inocencio |{{party name with colour|Independent}} | ||
14.
|Maro Martires |{{party name with colour|Independent}} | ||
15.
|Boyie Raymundo |{{party name with colour|Nationalist People's Coalition}} |
{{col-3}}
=Primary opposition coalition=
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style=font-size:90%"
|+Team Kaya This | ||
colspan="5" bgcolor="#E41B17" | | ||
Position
!# | width=150px|Candidate | colspan="2" width="110px" |Party |
---|---|---|
scope="row" | Mayor
| 2. |Sarah Discaya |{{party name with colour|Unyon ng mga Gabay ng Bayan}} | ||
scope="row" | Vice mayor
| 1. |Iyo Caruncho Bernardo |{{party name with colour|Independent}} | ||
scope="row" | Representative
| 2. |Christian Sia |{{party name with colour|Independent}} | ||
scope="row" rowspan="6" | Councilor (1st district)
| 1. |Ron Angeles |{{party name with colour|Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino}} | ||
2.
| Rex Balderrama |{{party name with colour|Nacionalista Party}} | ||
5.
|Jess Gaviola |{{party name with colour|Nacionalista Party}} | ||
9.
|Richie Pua |{{party name with colour|Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino}} | ||
10.
| Tantan Ambrosio Reyes | {{party name with colour|Independent}} | ||
12.
|JR Samson |{{party name with colour|Independent}} | ||
scope="row" rowspan="5" | Councilor (2nd district)
| 2. |{{party name with colour|Lakas–CMD}} | ||
6.
|Mario Concepcion Jr. |{{party name with colour|Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino}} | ||
7.
|Steve De Asis |{{party name with colour|Nacionalista Party}} | ||
9.
|Kaye Dela Cruz |{{party name with colour|Independent}} | ||
16.
|Willy Sityar |{{party name with colour|Nacionalista Party}} |
{{col-3}}
= Other candidates =
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style=font-size:90%"
|+Candidates not in tickets !Position !# !Candidate ! colspan="2" |Party |
scope="row" rowspan="2" |Mayor
| 1. | Eagle Ayaon | {{party name with colour|Independent}} |
---|
3.
| Cory Palma | {{party name with colour|Independent}} |
scope="row" | Vice mayor
| 2. | Marc dela Cruz | {{party name with colour|Independent}} |
scope="row" rowspan="3" | Councilor (1st district)
| 3. | Ram Cruz | {{party name with colour|Liberal Party (Philippines)}} |
7.
|Shamcey Supsup-Lee{{efn|Supsup-Lee was initially part of Team Kaya This until she withdrew from the slate on April 7, 2025.{{cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/941978/shamcey-supsup-leaves-pasig-political-party/story/?amp|title=Shamcey Supsup leaves Pasig political party|first=Mariel Celine|last=Serquiña|date=April 8, 2025|accessdate=April 8, 2025|work=GMA News}}}} |{{party name with colour|Independent}} |
8.
| Jemar Pascual | {{party name with colour|Reform PH - People's Party}} |
scope="row" rowspan="5" | Councilor (2nd district)
| 3. | Mer Añon | {{party name with colour|Independent}} |
4.
|Syvel Asilo |{{party name with colour|Nacionalista Party}} |
5.
| JR Balingit | {{party name with colour|Independent}} |
11.
| Ed Gavino | {{party name with colour|Independent}} |
12.
| Bobby Hapin | {{party name with colour|Independent}} |
{{col-end}}
;Notes
{{noteslist}}
Campaign
Discaya is campaigning on a platform centered on increased infrastructure spending, with the goal of transforming Pasig into a "smart city." She has outlined plans for several major projects aimed at improving the quality of life for residents. Discaya also said she was compelled to run for mayor in response to what she described as Mayor Sotto's "baseless" accusations against her construction company. Additionally, she has criticized Sotto for prioritizing "good governance" over essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.{{Cite web |last=Escosio |first=Jan |last2=jvicente |date=2025-03-14 |title=Pasig mayoral bet Sarah Discaya to transform Pasig to smart city |url=https://www.inquirer.net/432511/pasig-mayoral-bet-sarah-discaya-to-transform-pasig-to-smart-city/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Inquirer.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=jcgotinga0208 |date=2025-03-27 |title='Oh come on': Vico Sotto calls out rival Sarah Discaya for 'dishonesty' |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/vico-sotto-post-calls-out-sarah-discaya-dishonesty/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Domingo |first=Katrina |date=2024-04-10 |title=‘Vico provoked us to run’: St. Gerrard owner says Sotto using construction firm for publicity |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/6/nagpanggap-na-pari-at-nagnakaw-ng-cellphone-sa-maynila-huli-sa-cctv-1108 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=ABS-CBN}}
Mayor Sotto has also criticized a concert held by the St. Gerrard Construction Charity Foundation, led by Curlee Discaya and his wife Sarah, for not securing permits from the city hall, which were countered by the foundation's insistence that it was held within the private Arcovia City estate.{{cite news |last1=Alcober |first1=Neil |date=October 1, 2024 |title=Pasig mayor slams concert |url=https://tribune.net.ph/2024/09/30/pasig-mayor-slams-concert |access-date=October 1, 2024 |work=Daily Tribune}} The aforementioned couple's St. Gerrard Construction and Development Corporation have previously had their projects in Barangay Bambang suspended by Mayor Sotto for lack of building permits and violating the terms of one of their approved permits.{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Patrick |date=January 26, 2024 |title='4 floors lang pero naging 5 floors': Mayor Vico halts construction projects without building permits |url=https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/25/4-floors-lang-pero-naging-5-floors-mayor-vico-halts-construction-projects-without-building-permits |access-date=October 1, 2024 |work=Manila Bulletin}} In 2020, the firm was also blacklisted from all government projects by the Department of Public Works and Highways for a period of one year for missing project deadlines.{{Cite PH act|url=https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/sites/default/files/issuances/DO_20_s2020.pdf|chamber=DO|number=20|prefix=DPWH|date=January 31, 2020|title=Blacklisting of St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corporation}}
Meanwhile, the Discayas, former city councilor Mario Concepcion Jr., and former Bambang barangay captain Reynaldo Samson Jr. have joined the ruling Partido Federal ng Pilipinas in anticipation of a 2025 run.{{cite news |last1= |first1= |date=August 30, 2024 |title=Partido ni PBBM may pambato sa pagka-mayor ng Pasig City |url=https://www.abante.com.ph/2024/08/30/partido-ni-pbbm-may-pambato-sa-pagka-mayor-ng-pasig-city/ |access-date=October 1, 2024 |work=Abante}} The party has regarded Sarah Discaya, through her charity work in the city, as a "winnable mayoral candidate".{{Cite web |last=Go |first=Miriam Grace |date=2025-03-29 |title=Pasig: Is good governance something you take against a mayor? |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/pasig-why-good-governance-taken-against-mayor/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}
Mayoral election
Incumbent mayor Vico Sotto is on his second consecutive term, having won his reelection bid in 2022. He is eligible to run for a third and final consecutive term.
=Candidates=
- Sarah Discaya, chief financial officer of St. Gerrard Construction Corp.{{cite news |last1=Manabat |first1=Johnson |date=October 7, 2024 |title=Owner of St. Gerrard Corp. formalizes bid for Pasig City mayor |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/7/owner-of-st-gerrard-corp-formalizes-bid-for-pasig-city-mayor-1651 |access-date=October 7, 2024 |work=ABS-CBN News}}
- Vico Sotto, incumbent mayor{{cite news |last1=Domingo |first1=Katrina |date=October 5, 2024 |title=Vico Sotto, Dodot Jaworski file candidacy for re-election in Pasig 2025 race |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/5/vico-sotto-dodot-jaworski-file-candidacy-for-re-election-in-pasig-1537 |access-date=October 5, 2024 |work=ABS-CBN News}}
=Results=
{{Election results
|caption=2025 Pasig Mayoral election
|cand1= Vico Sotto (incumbent)
|party1= Independent
|votes1= 351392
| color1 = #114599
|cand2= Sarah Discaya
|party2= Unyon ng mga Gabay ng Bayan
|votes2= 29591
|color2 = #E41B17
|cand3= Cory Palma
|party3= Independent
|votes3= 308
|cand4= Eagle Ayaon
|party4= Independent
|votes4= 296
|valid=
|invalid=
|electorate=
|result=Giting ng Pasig/Independent hold
|source=
}}
{{clear}}
=Controversies=
On April 14, 2025, Mayor Sotto publicly claimed that his challenger, Sarah Discaya, used a British passport earlier that year—an allegation that, he argued, could raise questions about her eligibility to run for public office under Republic Act (RA) No. 9225. Sotto said he received reports about Discaya's January flight details but opted not to pursue a disqualification case, asserting his desire to distance his campaign from traditional political tactics. In response, Discaya's legal counsel maintained that she is a dual citizen by birth—born in London to Filipino parents—and therefore not subject to RA 9225's renunciation requirement, citing a 2022 Supreme Court ruling.{{cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Dominique Nicole |title=Sarah Discaya says she was born in London, defends eligibility in Pasig mayoral race |url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2025/04/16/2436537/sarah-discaya-says-she-was-born-london-defends-eligibility-pasig-mayoral-race |access-date=April 21, 2025 |work=The Philippine Star |date=April 16, 2025}}
Vice mayoral election
Incumbent vice mayor Robert Jaworski Jr. is on his first term, having won his seat in the 2022 Pasig local elections. He is eligible to run for his second consecutive term.
=Candidates=
- Robert Jaworski Jr., incumbent vice mayor
- Iyo Caruncho Bernardo, 2022 mayoral candidate, former vice mayor (2013–2022){{cite news |last1=Domingo |first1=Katrina |date=October 4, 2024 |title=‘Vico provoked us to run’: St. Gerrard owner says Sotto using construction firm for publicity|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/3/vico-sotto-links-2025-election-rival-to-miru-system-s-ex-partner-2356 |access-date=October 8, 2024 |work=ABS-CBN News}}
=Results=
{{Election results
|caption=2025 Pasig Vice Mayoral election
|cand1= Robert Jaworski Jr. (incumbent)
|party1= Independent
|votes1= 290237
|color1 = #114599
|cand2= Iyo Christian Bernardo
|party2= Independent
|votes2= 72227
|color2 = #E41B17
|cand3= Marc dela Cruz
|party3= Independent
|votes3= 5658
|valid=
|invalid=
|electorate=
|result=Giting ng Pasig/Independent hold
|source=
}}
{{clear}}
City Council election
The Pasig City Council has 14 members, 12 of which are elected via plurality block voting for three-year terms. It is divided into two city council districts, with six councilors each.
=First District=
The first city council district is composed of the western and southern barangays of the city, namely Bagong Ilog, Bagong Katipunan, Bambang, Buting, Caniogan, Kalawaan, Kapasigan, Kapitolyo, Malinao, Oranbo, Palatiw, Pineda, Sagad, San Antonio, San Joaquin, San Jose, San Nicolas, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Santo Tomas, Sumilang, and Ugong.
The administration coalition won a majority of the district's seats in 2022, winning five of the six contested seats.
Term-limited councilors
- Reggie Balderama
==Results==
{{Election results
|caption= 2025 Pasig City Council election in the 1st district
|party1 = NPC
|alliance1 = Giting ng Pasig
|acolor1 = #114599
|cand1 = Simon Romulo Tantoco (incumbent)
|votes1 = 113222
|party2 = NPC
|alliance2 = Giting ng Pasig
|acolor2 = #114599
|cand2 = Kiko Rustia (incumbent)
|votes2 = 108715
|party3 = NPC
|alliance3 = Giting ng Pasig
|acolor3 = #114599
|cand3 = Pao Santiago (incumbent)
|votes3 = 95566
|cand4= Volta Delos Santos (incumbent)
|party4= AKAY
|alliance4 = Giting ng Pasig
|acolor4 = #114599
|votes4= 92168
|party5 = NPC
|alliance5 = Giting ng Pasig
|acolor5 = #114599
|cand5 = Eric Gonzales (incumbent)
|votes5 = 78622
|party6 = Akbayan
|alliance6 = Giting ng Pasig
|acolor6 = #114599
|cand6 = Paul Senogat
|votes6 = 76257
|alliance7 = Independent
|cand7 = Shamcey Supsup-Lee
|votes7 = 42987
|party8 = Nacionalista
|alliance8 = Team Kaya This
|acolor8 = #E41B17
|cand8 = Rex Balderrama
|votes8 = 37705
|party9 = PMP
|alliance9 = Team Kaya This
|acolor9 = #E41B17
|cand9 = Richie Pua
|votes9 = 28475
|party10 = Nacionalista
|alliance10 = Team Kaya This
|acolor10 = #E41B17
|cand10 = Jess Gaviola
|votes10 = 27497
|party11 = PMP
|alliance11 = Team Kaya This
|acolor11 = #E41B17
|cand11 = Ron Angeles
|votes11 = 26392
|party12 = Independent
|alliance12= Team Kaya This
|acolor12 = #E41B17
|cand12 = Tantan Ambrosio Reyes
|votes12 = 22668
|party13 = Independent
|alliance13 = Team Kaya This
|acolor13 = #E41B17
|cand13 = JR Samson
|votes13 = 17833
|alliance14 = Reform PH
|cand14 = Jemar Pascual
|votes14 = 12131
|alliance15 = Liberal
|cand15 = Ram Cruz
|votes15 = 9628
}}
=Second District=
The second city council district is composed of the northern and eastern barangays of the city, namely Dela Paz, Manggahan, Maybunga, Pinagbuhatan, Rosario, San Miguel, Santa Lucia, and Santolan.
The administration coalition won a majority of the district's seats in 2022, winning five of the six contested seats.
Term-limited councilors
- Corie Raymundo
==Results==
{{Election results
|caption= 2025 Pasig City Council election in the 2nd district
|party1 = Independent
|alliance1 = Giting ng Pasig
|acolor1 = #114599
|cand1 = Angelu de Leon (incumbent)
|votes1 = 199554
|party2 = Independent
|alliance2 = Giting ng Pasig
|acolor2 = #114599
|cand2 = Maro Martires (incumbent)
|votes2 = 159596
|party3 = NPC
|alliance3 = Giting ng Pasig
|acolor3 = #114599
|cand3 = Bobby Agustin (incumbent)
|votes3 = 148446
|party4= Independent
|alliance4 = Giting ng Pasig
|acolor4 = #114599
|cand4 = Warren Inocencio
|votes4 = 144933
|party5 = NPC
|alliance5 = Giting ng Pasig
|acolor5 = #114599
|cand5 = Boyie Raymundo
|votes5 = 138919
|party6 = PDP
|alliance6 = Giting ng Pasig
|acolor6 = #114599
|cand6 = Ryan Enriquez
|votes6 = 111853
|alliance7 = Nacionalista
|cand7 = Syvel Asilo (incumbent)
|votes7 = 85646
|party8 = PMP
|alliance8 = Team Kaya This
|acolor8 = #E41B17
|cand8 = Mario "Jun-Jun" Concepcion Jr.
|votes8 = 70084
|party9 = Independent
|alliance9 = Team Kaya This
|acolor9 = #E41B17
|cand9 = Kaye dela Cruz
|votes9 = 64278
|party10 = Lakas
|alliance10 = Team Kaya This
|acolor10 = #E41B17
|cand10 = Ara Mina
|votes10 = 58108
|party11 = Nacionalista
|alliance11 = Team Kaya This
|acolor11 = #E41B17
|cand11 = Willy Sityar
|votes11 = 49099
|party12 = Nacionalista
|alliance12 = Team Kaya This
|acolor12 = #E41B17
|cand12 = Steve de Asis
|votes12 = 36589
|alliance13 = Independent
|cand13 = Bobby Hapin
|votes13 = 23331
|alliance14 = Independent
|cand14 = Ed Gavino
|votes14 = 20518
|alliance15 = Independent
|cand15 = JR Balingit
|votes15 = 18910
|alliance16 = Independent
|cand16 = Mer Añon
|votes16 = 13253
}}
House of Representatives election
The city elects one representative to the House of Representatives. The incumbent is Roman Romulo, who is on his second consecutive term. He is eligible to run for a third and final consecutive term.
= Candidates =
- Roman Romulo, incumbent representative
- Ian Sia, former 1st district councilor (2010–2016), 2022 vice mayoral candidate.
= Results =
{{Election results
|caption=2025 Philippine House of Representatives election in Pasig's at-large district
|cand1= Roman Romulo (incumbent)
|party1= Nationalist People's Coalition
|votes1= 348939
|cand2= Ian Sia
|party2= Independent
|votes2= 16829
|color2 = #E41B17
|valid=
|invalid=
|electorate=
|result=Nationalist People's Coalition hold
|source=
}}
= Disqualification of Christian Sia =
On April 2, 2025, Christian Sia drew controversy during a campaign rally in barangay Pinagbuhatan after making sexually suggestive remarks towards single mothers. He jokingly offered women who still menstruate and are lonely the opportunity to sleep with him once a year, later clarifying that he was married and that the comments were just a joke.{{Cite news |last=Gotinga|first=JC |date=2025-04-03 |title=Pasig candidate Ian Sia says single mothers may sleep with him |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/ian-sia-pasig-candidate-congressman-says-single-mothers-sleep-with-him/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}
Videos and clips of his speech soon went viral on social media drawing widespread condemnation from various groups and political figures. Organizations such as the women’s rights group Gabriela, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Philippine Commission on Women, among others, issued statements denouncing his remarks.{{Cite web |last=Mendoza |first=John Eric |last2=postie |date=2025-04-04 |title=DSWD calls out Pasig House bet Ian Sia for joke vs single moms: ‘Not funny’ |url=https://www.inquirer.net/435020/not-funny-dswd-slams-pasig-district-bet-for-lewd-jokes-vs-single-moms/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Inquirer.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Abad |first=Michelle |date=2025-04-05 |title=Sexist humor has no place in public discourse – PCW |url=https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/sexist-humor-no-place-public-discourse-commission-women/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Mendoza |first=John Eric |last2=jvicente |date=2025-04-04 |title=Poll watchdog to Pasig House bet Christian Sia: Just back out |url=https://www.inquirer.net/435149/poll-watchdog-to-pasig-house-bet-christian-sia-just-back-out/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Inquirer.net |language=en}} On April 5, 2025, Sia apologized in a press conference for his remarks about single mothers, acknowledged that his comments were a poor choice and inappropriate in the context of a political campaign, but blamed the uploader of the video.{{Cite web |last=Mendoza |first=John Eric |last2=mareyes |date=2025-04-04 |title=Ian Sia apologizes for ‘joke’ about single moms |url=https://www.inquirer.net/435112/pasig-rep-bet-sia-says-sorry-for-single-mothers-joke/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Inquirer.net |language=en}} The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) issued a show-cause order, citing possible violations of anti-discrimination rules. The Solo Parents Party-list filed a complaint, and Sia was suspended from campaign activities for three days by his party.{{Cite web |last3=Macababbad |first1=Rhodina|last1=Villanueva|first2=Jose Rodel|last2=Clapano|first3=EJ |title=Pasig bet ordered: Explain lewd joke on single mothers |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/04/05/2433595/pasig-bet-ordered-explain-lewd-joke-single-mothers |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Philstar.com}} In response to his comments, the Solo Parents Partylist has filed a formal complaint against Sia with the COMELEC.{{Cite web |last=Sampang |first=Dianne |last2=jvicente |date=2025-04-04 |title=Solo Parents Party-list files election case vs Pasig bet Christian Sia |url=https://www.inquirer.net/435146/solo-parents-party-list-files-election-case-vs-pasig-bet-christian-sia/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Inquirer.net |language=en}} Sia has also been barred from joining any more campaign events for three days by his party.
On April 8, 2025, while campaigning in barangay Sagad, Sia made another controversial remark, this time perceived as body-shaming towards a former female staff member, commenting on her weight gain after changing employers. This incident led the COMELEC to issue a second show-cause order on April 8, 2025, requiring Sia to explain why he should not be charged with an election offense or disqualification, citing potential violations of anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines.{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2025/04/09/2434587/comelec-summons-pasig-bet-anew-body-shaming|title=Comelec summons Pasig bet anew for body shaming|first=Mayen|last=Jaymalin|date=April 9, 2025|accessdate=April 9, 2025|work=The Philippine Star}}
COMELEC's second division disqualified Sia on May 7, 2025, five days before the election.{{cite news |last1=Locus |first1=Sia |title=Comelec 2nd Division issues summons vs Pasig bet Ian Sia |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/metro/943518/comelec-2nd-division-issues-summons-vs-pasig-bet-ian-sia/story/ |access-date=May 8, 2025 |work=GMA News |date=April 22, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=Locus |first1=Sundy |title=Comelec 2nd division disqualifies Pasig bet Sia over 'single mom' jokes |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/945394/ian-sia-disqualified-single-mom-comelec/story/ |access-date=May 8, 2025 |work=GMA News |date=May 8, 2025}}
Notes
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References
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{{2025 Philippine general election}}
{{Metro Manila elections}}