Bong Suntay Breaks Silence & Accepts Criticism Over Anne Curtis Controversy
BONG SUNTAY – After days of intense criticism, Congressman Bong Suntay admitted that the backlash over his statement about Anne Curtis was something he expected and deserved.
Quezon City 4th District Representative Jesus “Bong” Suntay on Thursday expressed regret over his recent comments involving actress-host Anne Curtis, acknowledging that the criticism he received was justified. The lawmaker apologized for using a sexually suggestive example to illustrate a point during a House impeachment hearing earlier this week.
On Tuesday, Suntay had argued that he could not be held liable for merely imagining “desires” for Anne Curtis while defending Vice President Sara Duterte’s “imagined” threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News’ Karen Davila on ANC, Suntay admitted that invoking a sexual fantasy “should not” have been used to make his point, noting that “there could have been a better analogy.”
“Nag-a-apologize ako sa mga taong nasaktan. That analogy should not have been made. If people would want to judge me, yung pagkatao ko based from one statement and forget everything I’ve done in public service since 1998, then I cannot fault them,” he said.
Acknowledging the public backlash, Suntay stated, “That mistake has been made… May backlash ‘yan. I deserve the backlash.”
Since Tuesday, Suntay has faced criticism from fellow lawmakers, women’s organizations, celebrities, and the public. Some have called for disciplinary action from the House of Representatives.
When asked about a possible ethics complaint, he said he would defer to his colleagues’ judgment. “If they want to file an ethics complaint, if they want to judge me, the person that I am, based from one particular statement, I respect it,” he said.
He also expressed hope that House members would be equally proactive in addressing lawmakers accused of graft and corruption.
Caloocan Second District Representative Edgar Erice commented on Wednesday that it would be “unfair” to penalize Suntay for a single misstep. Erice emphasized that ethics complaints regarding contractors have been delayed in the panel and suggested that “a reprimand is enough” for Suntay.
“Of course, we cannot prevent a complaint by the offended party, by any women’s groups, so sa tingin ko puwede naman siguro na humingi na lang ng paumanhin si Congressman Suntay,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Commission on Women condemned Suntay’s remarks, calling them “hallmarks of gender-based sexual harassment” as defined by the Safe Spaces Act. The commission noted, “And when it comes from a public official, it is a serious betrayal of public trust and a violation of the law.”
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