Metro Manila, Philippines – Fellow lawmakers and Jasmine Curtis-Smith are demanding accountability from Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay following his lewd remarks about actress Anne Curtis during a House committee hearing on Tuesday, March 3.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, in a statement, expressed her dismay, saying that Suntay’s comment was a “casual display of objectification.”
Belmonte highlighted that Suntay was the majority floor leader when the city passed an ordinance in 2016 declaring that “lewd, malicious, and demeaning remarks and acts have no place in public life.”
“Our people deserve no less,” said Belmonte.
Rep. Sarah Elago of Gabriela Women’s Party said that Suntay’s remarks were unacceptable and is demanding a public apology from the congressman.
“There is no place for sexism and objectification of women by public officials,” said Elago.
The House Committee on Women and Gender Equality also condemned Suntay’s “sexist” and “misogynistic” remarks, saying they have no place in public office, which promotes respect and professionalism.
“Patuloy naming ipaglalaban ang dignidad at karapatan ng kababaihan sa loob at labas ng Kongreso,” it said.
[Translation: We will continue to fight for the dignity and rights of women inside and outside Congress.]
Similarly, ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima called on fellow lawmakers not to tolerate such behavior in government institutions.
“Malinaw din dapat sa lahat: Ang paggalang sa kababaihan ay hindi lang ginagawa tuwing Buwan ng mga Kababaihan. Ito ang marapat na isinasabuhay sa isang lipunang disente, makatarungan at may pagkakapantay-pantay,” said de Lima.
[Translation: It should be clear to everyone: Respect for women should not be practiced only during Women’s Month. It should be lived out in a decent, just, and equal society.]
Senator Risa Hontiveros said she is bothered by Suntay’s continued denial that there is nothing wrong with his remarks.
Hontiveros then reminded Suntay that his actions are punishable under the Safe Spaces Act, which she authored.
“As a lawmaker, he should know this. More importantly, he is duty-bound to uphold it,” said Hontiveros.
Jasmine Anne Curtis-Smith, sister of Anne Curtis, also took to social media to express her frustration with Suntay.
Jasmine said Suntay’s statement concerns not only her sister but all women, noting that it shows how women continue to be reduced to bodies in a male-dominated field like Congress.
“When a congressman publicly narrates his ‘desire’ and imagination about a woman he once saw (or dreams he saw—I don’t know, his statements keep changing), it reinforces a culture that treats women as consumable, as spectacle, as fantasy, as objects for commentary rather than as whole human beings with agency, intellect, and autonomy,” she said.
