How ironic is it for a woman to be verbally sexually harassed during National Women’s Month? And to make it even worse? A government official—someone who is supposed to protect women from exactly this kind of behavior—did it.

Social media has recently been flooded with outrage against Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay following his lewd remarks about actress Anne Curtis in a House hearing regarding the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.

During the House committee on justice hearing, Suntay contested the third impeachment complaint that accuses Duterte of political destabilization, sedition, and insurrection. According to him, the accusations seem to blame the vice president for the actions that were not clearly proven to be hers.

Suntay also added that people cannot be punished for statements that have no direct action behind them or for simply expressing thoughts.

In connection to his statement, the congressman provided an example about him imagining things while seeing Curtis, but cannot be punished because it was just only his imagination.

“You know, once when I was in Shangri-La, I saw Anne Curtis. She is really beautiful. You know, a desire inside me welled up, I felt the heat, and I just imagined what could happen,” he said. “But of course, that is only my imagination. But I think I cannot be charged for what I was able to imagine.”

@inquirerdotnet Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay was called out by several of his colleagues for his lewd remarks about actress Anne Curtis, as he tried to establish a point during the hearing of impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte. #newsph #socialnews #tiktoknews #inquirerdotnet #annecurtis ♬ original sound – INQUIRER.net

Committee vice chairperson San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora interfered, saying that what Suntay said should be stricken from the hearing records.

However, the congressman objected and still stood with his ground claiming that there’s nothing sexual about his statement. 

“There is nothing sexual in what I said, nothing immoral. It’s just, I said, I imagined something. I think there is nothing wrong,” Suntay argued.

Zamora then reminded him he shouldn’t make remarks like that, especially that it’s also National Women’s Month.

“Madam Chair, with all due respect to my friend Congressman Bong Suntay, it is just the start of the Women’s Month, and I don’t think that we should be hearing such comments from our dear colleagues,” she said. “We’re not censuring anything, but we are reminding them that, in fact, we should support women by not saying these statements.

Fury

When the particular clip spread across social media platforms, people were angered by Suntay’s remarks. Netizens quickly shared their thoughts and opinions about the matter.

Curtis has not yet issued a statement regarding the controversy, but numerous personalities and lawmakers have come to her defense, publicly denouncing Suntay for his remarks.

Jasmin Curtis-Smith, the actress’s sister, posted a statement expressing her disappointment and disgust towards the politician.

“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,” she said.

“We cannot continue excusing this as “just being honest” or “just a compliment.” It is neither. Respect is not complicated. If we want safer environments for our daughters, nieces, and future leaders, accountability must begin with those elected to represent us.”

Filipino broadcast journalist Karen Davila also criticized Suntay’s remarks, saying that he should apologize to Curtis.

A congressman. A representative of the people. Paid by the people. A husband, a father with daughters.

Without the consciousness, knowledge or decency of how women should be talked about. Please keep your sick thoughts to yourself.

More than striking his comments off the… pic.twitter.com/JBW1kYPU4Q

— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) March 3, 2026

Ito ang problema ng maraming mambabatas.

Hindi nila alam ang batas. Our lawmakers are the law breakers.

Mula sa Bawal Bastos Law hanggang sa Anti-Plunder Act o Anti-Graft & Corrupt Practices Act. Kaya bastos na, ang marami – magnanakaw pa.

— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) March 4, 2026

Additionally, public officials such as Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, journalist Atom Araullo, and showbiz figures Jodi Sta. Maria, Romnick Sarmenta, and Amy Perez, among others, came to Curtis’s defense.

STATEMENT OF MAYOR JOY BELMONTE

I urge Congressman Bong Suntay to apologize for the inappropriate remarks that he made at a recent House committee hearing.

His words directly contradict the spirit of empowerment that we have worked hard to build here in Quezon City. Over the… pic.twitter.com/4jt8e1IIVp

— Quezon City Government (@QCGov) March 3, 2026

Rep Bong Suntay must apologize & make the necessary amends to Ms Anne Curtis. There is absolutely no excuse for his repulsive remarks.

Ang mas nakakabahala, patuloy pa niyang iginigiit na walang mali sa kanyang sinabi.

— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) March 4, 2026

If the honorable congressman thinks those remarks belong in the halls of Congress, one can only imagine what passes for normal conversation in private, especially when women aren’t in the room.

What followed was even worse: intellectual dishonesty and refusal to engage with…

— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) March 4, 2026

If the honorable congressman thinks those remarks belong in the halls of Congress, one can only imagine what passes for normal conversation in private, especially when women aren’t in the room.

What followed was even worse: intellectual dishonesty and refusal to engage with…

— Atom Araullo (@atomaraullo) March 4, 2026

Objectifying 

It has only been a few days since the start of National Women’s Month, and once again, women have become the targets of sexual harassment. 

For years, women have been objectified, reduced to punchlines in passing commentaries as if they are not human beings deserving of respect. 

Women are not objects—they are people.

Being a woman is so much more than what can be consumed or commented on by anyone, especially those in positions of power. Women deserve recognition for their minds, their contributions, and their hard work—not as objects of someone else’s “imagination.” 

Even if such remarks were meant as a “compliment” (a weak excuse at best), they reduce women to mere physical beings, ignoring their strengths, achievements, and worth beyond appearances.

What makes this case even more disturbing is that the remark came from a public official. His words are never “just words.” They carry weight. He is a representative of the people, and his statements are amplified by the authority of his office. They help shape what is considered acceptable in public discourse. 

Saying something like that does not only tarnish his position in government—it also reflects the kind of person he is. To add? He is not just an official; he is also a husband and a father.

His remarks left women feeling harassed, disrespected, and deeply offended. And it should never be like that. If such remarks can be made by those in power, within the very halls where women are supposed to be protected and respected, one can only wonder what else might be happening in private or everyday conversations.

And if leaders cannot respect women with their words, how can they be trusted to protect them with laws?

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