Women’s Month opened with strong calls for accountability as celebrities and netizens condemned the controversial remarks made by Quezon City 4th District Representative Bong Suntay about actress-host Anne Curtis.
The politico drew backlash for statements he made during a House Committee on Justice deliberation on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Alam mo minsan nasa Shangri-La ako, nakita ko si Anne Curtis, ang ganda-ganda pala niya. You know, may desire sa loob ko na nag-init talaga, na-imagine ko na lang kung anong p’wedeng mangyari,” the lawmaker said.
“Pero syempre hanggang imagination na lang ’yun. Hindi naman siguro ako pwede kasuhan kung ano ’yung na-imagine ko,” he added.
Suntay later explained that he cited Curtis as an analogy to Duterte’s past statement about allegedly ordering someone to kill President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in retaliation if she were killed, arguing that both statements were merely products of “imagination.”
Although the public official issued a brief apology, he also stood by his remarks, insisting there was “nothing sexual” or “immoral” about what he said and suggesting that Curtis should take it as a “compliment.”
Suntay’s attempt to justify the statement appeared to only add fuel to the fire. Anne’s family, sister Jasmine Curtis-Smith, and mother Carmencita Ojales Curtis-Smith, were among the first to call out Suntay on their social media pages.
“Mr. Bong Suntay, [you’re a] sick man. I reckon!! Your (you’re) foul!!” the Curtis-Smith matriarch posted on Facebook.
“Respectfully, Bong Suntay, what on Earth? Bakit gano’n ang thinking? Happy National Women’s Month,” Jasmine wrote on X.
She also criticized the lawmaker for defending his statement, writing, “A compliment? Ang dami ko gustong sabihin! Kadiri po kayo.”
In a separate lengthy post, Jasmine called for respect and safer spaces for women in public office, stressing that women should not be reduced to mere “bodies” or “objects of commentary” by men in power.
Journalist Karen Davila also expressed dismay on TV Patrol, describing Suntay’s remarks as “misogynistic” and “disrespectful.”
“Yung sinabi po ni Cong. Suntay, marami ang hindi conscious at aware sa misogynistic comments. […] Nakakainsulto sa babae. Walang respeto,” Davila said.
“Dapat ‘wag na nating tanggapin ’yong minsan ‘biro-biro lang.’ Mali po ’yon. Hindi dapat ’yong kulturang gano’n, hindi okay ’yon.”
“Tandaan ng mga kongresista, binabayaran kayo ng taumbayan. Hindi kayo nandiyan para magpa-cute. Wala kaming pakialam sa init ng kalooban ninyo. Do your job well,” she stressed.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte likewise called on Suntay to apologize for his “inappropriate remarks.”
“His words directly contradict the spirit of empowerment that we have worked hard to build here in Quezon City. […] We call on Congressman Suntay to take full accountability for his remarks, issue a proper apology, and conduct himself with the dignity that his office—and our city—demand. Our people deserve no less,” Belmonte said in an official statement.
Meanwhile, Sarah Elago of the Gabriela Party-List denounced Suntay’s statements as “sexist” and “toxic,” urging him to issue a public apology.
“There is no place for sexism and objectification of women by public officials. We will continue to demand respect, uphold women’s dignity, and push for accountability,” the party-list group said.
As of writing, Curtis, who is currently in Oman with her husband Erwan Heusaff and daughter Dahlia, has yet to release a personal statement regarding the controversy.
