Women Journalists' Consortium Denounces Lawmaker's Lewd Remark During Impeachment Hearing
The Movement for the Safety and Welfare of Women Journalists, known as We-Move, has issued a strong condemnation against Quezon City Representative Jesus Manuel Angel "Bong" Suntay. The group, established in 2023 to advocate for safe spaces and security for women media practitioners, expressed outrage over what it described as "inappropriate remarks" made by the congressman during Tuesday's House deliberations on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Timing Adds Insult to Injury
In a detailed statement, We-Move emphasized the particularly troubling timing of Suntay's comments. The incident occurred on March 3, 2026, which falls within National Women's Month and just days before International Women's Day on March 8. The organization stated that such casual objectification of women has absolutely no place in any public forum, especially one as significant as the House of Representatives.
"Women inside newsrooms, in public office, and in every sector of society deserve respect, not ridicule," declared the consortium in their official communication. They further elaborated that words spoken in powerful spaces like congressional halls and media platforms carry substantial weight and influence public discourse.
Normalizing Harmful Culture
The group warned that when public figures perpetuate objectification through their remarks, they effectively normalize a culture that undermines gender equality and emboldens abusive behavior. "When they perpetuate objectification, they normalize a culture that undermines equality and emboldens abuse," We-Move added with particular emphasis on the broader societal implications.
We-Move has called for clear accountability regarding the incident and a firm reaffirmation that misogynistic and degrading remarks will not be tolerated in any context. The organization stressed that respect for women is not merely optional but constitutes a fundamental obligation within any democratic society that values equality and human dignity.
The controversy specifically centers on Suntay's lewd comment about actress and television personality Anne Curtis during the impeachment proceedings. While the congressman has since apologized for the remark about Curtis, he has maintained his position regarding the impeachment analogy involving Vice President Duterte. The women journalists' group maintains that such behavior from elected officials sets dangerous precedents that require immediate corrective action and public accountability measures.
