QC Rep. Bong Suntay apologizes to actress Anne Curtis over 'controversial remarks'

Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus Manuel “Bong” Suntay is facing backlash from fellow lawmakers, celebrities, and the public after making a controversial remark about Filipino actress and TV host Anne Curtis.

During a House committee on Justice hearing on March 3, Suntay made a comment about “imagined scenarios” as the impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte were being tackled.

VP Duterte previously stirred debate after calling herself a “designated survivor” when she skipped the 2024 State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

She also faced criticism for remarking that she once imagined cutting off the president’s head.

Suntay argued that statements or imagined scenarios should not be treated as criminal acts or grounds for impeachment. 

“Iyong statement, it's not illegal, it's not criminal, in fact, that’s not possible,” he said during the hearing. “Maybe she was just kidding.”

To support his argument that thoughts and imagination cannot be punished by law, Suntay shared a personal example involving actress Anne Curtis. 

“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, at na-imagine ko na lang kung anong pwedeng mangyari. Pero syempre hanggang imagination lang 'iyon,” Suntay said.

The remark prompted mixed reactions inside the hearing room. 

While some attendees laughed, San Juan Rep. Bel Zamora stated, “It is just the start of Women’s Month, and I don’t think we should be hearing such comments from our dear colleagues,” Zamora said.

 “We are not censuring anything. We are reminding them that, in fact, we should support women by not making such statements.”

Clips of the exchange quickly spread online, drawing strong reactions from Curtis’ supporters and several personalities in the entertainment industry.

Actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Anne’s sister, publicly criticized the politician in a series of posts on X and Facebook.

“Respectfully, Bong Suntay, what on earth??? Bakit ganon ang thinking,” Jasmine wrote in all caps.

After Suntay’s post-hearing interview, Jasmine continued expressing her frustration: “What a disgusting man. A father. A husband.”

“A compliment??? Ang dami ko gustong sabihin! Kadiri po kayo.”

In a recent long Facebook post, Jasmine Curtis-Smith wrote: “This moment is not about one female celebrity. It is about how ALL WOMEN, regardless of profession, continue to be reduced to bodies in spaces dominated by men in power.”

“Public office carries with it the responsibility to elevate discourse, not diminish it,” she added.

Jasmine stressed that such remarks cannot be excused as “just being honest” or “just a compliment,” saying accountability must begin with elected officials.

Their mother, Carmen Ojales Curtis-Smith, also called out Suntay on Facebook:

“Mr. Bong Suntay, you’re a sick man, I reckon. You’re foul.”

Anne’a co-hosts on the noontime show It's Showtime also addressed the issue during a live broadcast.

“Hindi na natin makakalimutan, bawal [ang] bastos,” host Karylle said.

The statement was echoed by co-hosts Jhong Hilario, Ogie Alcasid, and Vhong Navarro.

“We stand with @annecurtissmith,” Alcasid later wrote on X.

Other personalities and supporters also expressed anger and dismay.

Following the backlash, Suntay issued an apology on Wednesday, acknowledging that his example may have been inappropriate.

“I regret na may nasaktan, but I won’t regret making that analogy kasi ngayon napansin niyo ang statement ko na dapat ang mga member ng committee should remain impartial,” he said.

“The analogy was not meant maliciously, It may have been in bad taste for some, I apologize kung meron tayong sensitivities na tinamaan, that was not the intention. The intention was to make a point” Suntay explained.

Suntay reiterated that “desires and imagination cannot be made an impeachable offense,” emphasizing the scenario he described was fictional.

“Hindi ko pa nga nakikita si Anne in person, napanood ko lang siya sa TV,” he added.

Despite the apology, some groups said further actions should be taken.

Meanwhile, Viva Artists Agency, Anne Curtis’ management, denounced the remarks as inappropriate and unacceptable.

“Regardless of the intent, purpose, or motivation… such statements have no place in any forum, normalize misogyny, and serve to undo decades of progress in the empowerment of women everywhere. It is unfortunate that even in this day and age, there is still a need for this reminder.

We urge everyone, especially our honorable public officials, to be more respectful and cognizant of their actions,” the statement said.

-Paraluman News