Lawmaker's Remarks About Actress Anne Curtis Spark Outrage in Congress
Quezon City Representative Jesus Manuel "Bong" Suntay is facing intense criticism from fellow lawmakers, public officials, and prominent celebrities following his controversial comments about actress Anne Curtis during an official House Committee on Justice session. The backlash erupted after Suntay recounted his personal reaction to seeing Curtis during a hearing on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Controversial Statement During Official Proceedings
During the committee session, Suntay shared an anecdote about encountering Curtis at Shangri-La, stating: "You know, one time I was at Shangri-La, and I saw Anne Curtis. She's really very beautiful. You know, there was a desire inside me, I really felt heated, and I just imagined what could happen, but of course it stayed in my imagination. Surely I can't be charged for whatever I imagined, right?"
House justice panel chairperson Belle Zamora immediately moved to strike Suntay's comments from the official record, but the lawmaker defended his remarks, claiming they contained nothing sexual or immoral. "I think we are starting a dangerous precedent because we are censuring manifestations which are neither illegal nor immoral," Suntay added.
Immediate Condemnation from Colleagues and Officials
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte strongly criticized Suntay's comments, urging him to issue a formal apology and describing his remarks as "inappropriate." Belmonte noted the irony that Suntay was a key local official when Quezon City passed the Bawal Bastos Ordinance, which prohibits lewd and demeaning remarks in public life.
"His words directly contradict the spirit of empowerment that we have worked hard to build here in Quezon City," Belmonte stated. "We must not hesitate to push back against any act that undermines the dignity of our women. We must continue to stand for their safety, dignity, and equality -- without exception and without compromise."
Women Legislators Demand Accountability
Gabriela Party-list Representative Sarah Elago called Suntay's remarks "outright disrespectful" and objectifying, demanding a public apology and emphasizing that sexism has no place in the legislature. "Sharing his imagination about a woman -- whatever the reason -- is outright disrespectful and objectifies women," Elago declared.
The House Committee on Women and Gender Equality also issued a strong condemnation, with committee chair and Laguna Representative Ann Matibag stating: "This is not a simple joke or a harmless comment. Reducing a woman to an object of sexual imagination, especially during an official hearing, is blatantly sexist and shameful. It has no place in any institution that is supposed to uphold respect and professionalism."
Celebrity and Media Backlash
Actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Anne Curtis's sister, described Suntay's remarks as "disgusting" and called on leaders to respect women as whole human beings rather than objects for commentary. Prominent media personalities including TV hosts Karen Davila and Bianca Gonzalez Intal characterized the remarks as inappropriate coming from a public servant.
Davila specifically criticized the lawmaker's apparent lack of understanding about why his comments were offensive, stating: "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."
Context of the Controversial Hearing
Suntay made the controversial statement while defending Vice President Sara Duterte's previous remarks about not attending the State of the Nation Address in July 2024, where she described herself as the "designated survivor." He also defended Duterte's controversial statement about contracting a hitman to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself were executed.
The widespread condemnation highlights growing concerns about appropriate conduct and language from public officials during official proceedings, particularly regarding respect for women's dignity and professional decorum in legislative settings.
