Manila, Philippines – Quezon City Fourth District Rep. Bong Suntay could face censure, or suspension at worst, in connection with his supposedly sexually suggestive remarks aimed at actress Anne Curtis, a lawmaker said on Friday, March 6.

Rep. Ann Matibag, chairperson of the House committee on women and gender equality, said she is confident that the House ethics committee will hold a “fair, objective and transparent” process in handling the complaint against Suntay.

The ethics committee investigating the issue is chaired by 4Ps party-list Rep. JC Abalos, who is co-author of the amended Safe Spaces Act, Matibag said.

“The lowest is censure. The gravest is suspension,” the female lawmaker told an online briefing.

“That’s not already my call. Puedeng hindi naman. It’s important na ma-tackle ito. I am confident that Cong JC Abalos knows very well the proper remedy,” she added.

Matibag is leading efforts to pass a bill expanding the scope of Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children. The revisions have been greenlit at the committee level and awaiting plenary approval.

“Hopefully it will be included in the LEDAC (Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council) priority bills. I am in contact with [committee on] rules if this will be included before recess,” she said.

Apart from the amendment of the Safe Spaces Act and the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children law, the House committee on women and gender is pushing for the rewriting of other pertinent bills, including the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act.

Matibag said she has tapped the Department of Information and Communication as well as the National Bureau of Investigation in fine-tuning the revisions.

“With what’s happening right now sabi ko sa ating mga leaders it’s very timely na this time we could expedite or work really on the bills for the protection of women and children, especially with digital violence,” Matibag said.