QUEZON City Fourth District Representative Bong Suntay has formally apologized for his controversial remarks about actress Anne Curtis while simultaneously standing firm on his "analogy" concerning the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. In a press interview on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the congressman addressed the growing controversy surrounding his statements.
Apology Issued Amid Controversy
Representative Suntay expressed regret that his comments had caused offense, particularly to women. "While there may be some people who found the analogy in bad taste, to those who were offended, I repeat, there was no malice in what we intended to do with that statement," Suntay explained during the media briefing. "We did not want to hurt anyone through that analogy."
The lawmaker specifically addressed actress Anne Curtis, stating: "To Ms. Anne Curtis as well, if she was hurt by what was said, I repeat, there was no malice intended and we ask for her forgiveness. But truly, it was a fictitious situation that I created. Only one thing there was true — when I said she is very beautiful."
Defending the Analogy
Despite the apology, Suntay maintained his position regarding the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte. He explained that his analogy was designed to illustrate a legal principle rather than to cause offense. "The video of VP Sara Duterte was shown, and one of the allegations being used for the impeachment is her desire and her imagination to inflict harm," Suntay stated. "As I said, desire and imagination are not impeachable offenses."
The congressman elaborated on his reasoning, saying: "I stand by my statement. That analogy was used to prove that statements are oftentimes taken out of context. I regret that some women were hurt because that was never the intention of my statement."
Context of the Controversy
Suntay's remarks originated during discussions about Vice President Duterte's defense regarding her absence from President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address in July 2024. Duterte had described herself as the "designated survivor" — a term referring to a government official kept away from major events to ensure continuity in case of catastrophe.
The Vice President also faced scrutiny for comments about contracting a hitman to target President Marcos, his wife, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were executed. Suntay defended these statements as part of his broader argument about the nature of impeachable offenses.
Committee Response
House Committee on Justice Chairperson Gerville Luistro offered a contrasting perspective during the impeachment discussions. "Threats issued by high-ranking officials are never mere imagination," Luistro asserted. "They carry weight. They create fear. They can destabilize institutions."
Luistro emphasized the seriousness of the proceedings, stating: "This Committee is not a forum for fantasy. This is not a movie theater. This is not a comedy." Her comments highlighted the tension between Suntay's analogy and the formal impeachment process.
The controversy continues to unfold as political observers analyze the implications of Suntay's statements and the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte. The incident has sparked broader conversations about appropriate language in political discourse and the boundaries of legal analogies in sensitive governmental matters.
