Angelu de Leon slams Pasig candidate Ian Sia’s remarks to single mothers

Angelu de Leon (L) and Ian Sia | PHOTOS: Official Facebook pages of Angelu de Leon and Christian “Ian” Sia

Actress-politician Angelu de Leon expressed her dismay at the “misogynistic” remark of Pasig City congressional candidate Christian “Ian” Sia, who said that single mothers who are lonely may sleep with him.

De Leon criticized Sia for making such offensive remarks at a time when women and single mothers are being celebrated and recognized for their contributions to society.

“BAWAL ANG BASTOS SA PASIG!” she began her post in all caps on Facebook.

“Nakakagalit na sa katatapos lang ng buwan ng kababaihan, at ngayong buwan ng Abril kung kailan pambansang ipinagdiriwang at kinikilala ang ating mga solo parents, makakarinig tayo ng nakakabastos at nakakadiring pahayag sa mga babaeng solo parent sa isang pampublikong event — na nagmula pa mismo sa isang abogadong kumakandito para kongreso,” de Leon further said

(Perverts are not allowed in Pasig! It is infuriating that just after the end of Women’s Month, and this month of April when our solo parents are nationally celebrated and recognized, we can hear such rude and disgusting statements against female solo parents at a public event — coming from a lawyer running for Congress.)

The Pasig second district councilor emphasized that there is zero tolerance in the city towards disrespecting women, especially from people who are running for public office.

“Bilang kasalukuyang Chairperson ng Committee on Social Services and Solo Parent Affairs ng Sanggunian Panlungsod ng Pasig, at bilang isang babaeng minsan din naging isang solo parent, nararamdaman ko ang labis na inis at pagkadismaya ng kababaihan at mga solo parent sa mga pahayag na ito,” de Leon stated.

(As the current Chairperson of the Committee on Social Services and Solo Parent Affairs of the Sanggunian Panlungsod of Pasig, and as a woman who was once a solo parent, I feel the great annoyance and frustration of women and solo parents with these statements.)

“Ang ganitong uri ng mga salita ay hindi lamang nakakainsulto sa mga kababaihan, kundi pati na rin sa ating lipunan. Ang pagkakaroon ng respeto at dignidad para sa iba, anuman ang kasarian o estado sa buhay, ay isang mahalagang prinsipyo na dapat isinusulong ng bawa’t isa, at mas lalo na sa mga nagnanais maglingkod sa ating pamahalaan at sa mga Pasigueño. Uulitin ko, BAWAL ANG BASTOS SA PASIG!” continued the actress-politician.

(These kinds of words are not only insulting to women, but also to our society. Having respect and dignity for others, regardless of gender or status in life, is an important principle that everyone should promote, and especially those who want to serve our government and the people of Pasig. I repeat, perverts are not allowed in Pasig.)

De Leon is running for reelection as councilor in the second district of Pasig City, under the ticket of incumbent Mayor Vico Sotto, vice mayor Dudut Jaworski, and congressman Roman Romulo.

On the other hand, Sia is running for congress under the banner of opposition mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya, whose slate for councilor also includes actress Ara Mina and beauty queen Shamcey Supsup-Lee.

In the viral video during their campaign kickoff last March 28, Sia said that single mothers who are still ovulating stand a chance to sleep with him at least once a year.

“Ito po ang ambag ko para sa mga solo parent ng Pasig. Minsan sa isang taon ang mga solo parent na babae na nireregla pa — Nay, malinaw, nireregla pa — at nalulungkot, minsan sa isang taon, pwede pong sumiping sa akin. Yun pong interesado magpalista na po dito sa table sa gilid,” he told the crowd in attendance.

(This is my contribution for the solo parents of Pasig. Once a year, single parent women who are still menstruating — Mom, it’s clear, still menstruating — and are feeling sad, once a year, can come to me. Those who are interested, please register here at the table on the side.)

Women’s rights group GABRIELA also condemned the lawyer’s sexist remarks, calling it “reprehensible and degrading.”