Iloilo women leaders condemn lawmaker’s lewd remarks

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo women leaders reminded public officials that leadership demands respect and accountability as they strongly condemned Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay’s remarks about actress Anne Curtis-Smith during an impeachment hearing.

Suntay, during a House Committee on Justice hearing on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, described seeing Curtis-Smith at a mall and said he felt a “surge of desire” while imagining “what could transpire,” arguing that such thoughts cannot be criminalized and likening them to Duterte’s statements.

Iloilo 2nd District Rep. Kathryn Joyce Gorriceta expressed deep concern over the incident, stressing that any form of disrespect toward women has no place in public discourse.

As vice chairperson of the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality, Gorriceta said public office demands accountability and discipline, warning that reducing women to objectified commentary fosters a culture that tolerates sexism and trivializes women’s worth.

“Our laws are clear,” she said. “The Safe Spaces Act, also known as Republic Act No. 11313, emphasizes the state’s commitment to preventing gender-based sexual harassment on the streets, public spaces, internet platforms, workplaces, and educational institutions.”

“It acknowledges that words, gestures, and actions that devalue or objectify women contribute to a culture of harassment and inequality,” she added.

Gorriceta said she remains committed to pushing legislation and initiatives that defend women’s rights and dignity.

“Respect is not optional. Equality is not negotiable,” she said.

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu said Suntay’s statements are unacceptable, uncalled for, and have no place in public discourse.

“When a public official speaks, their words carry weight,” Treñas-Chu said. “Casual objectification, whether disguised as imagination or humor, demeans women and erodes the very culture of respect and equality that we are working so hard to build.”

Treñas-Chu urged Suntay to issue a sincere and unequivocal apology and reflect on the responsibility that comes with holding public office.

Iloilo City Vice Mayor Love Baronda echoed the call, saying respect for women should be upheld at all times and not only during Women’s Month.

“As a leader and as a woman, we also have to gently but firmly remind our fellow public servants that statements which make women objects of desire or imagination should not be normalized,” she said.

Iloilo City Councilor Sheen Marie Mabilog described the remarks as uncomfortable and unacceptable, regardless of intent.

“What may be dismissed as ‘just imagination’ reflects a mindset that continues to objectify and victimize women,” she said.

Mabilog stressed that words matter, especially when spoken by those in positions of power.

Fellow Councilor Frances Grace Parcon-Torres also denounced the statement, saying objectifying language undermines women’s contributions and reinforces harmful biases.

“All women deserve to be treated with dignity,” she said. “There is no room for disrespect — from anyone, toward anyone.”

During the House’s regular session on Wednesday, March 4, Suntay issued an apology and acknowledged the strong reactions and concerns raised by various sectors, particularly women and advocacy groups.

Suntay said he did not intend to offend, belittle, or disrespect anyone, adding that the incident would remind him to be more cautious in choosing his words during public discussions.

“I sincerely apologize to those who were hurt or offended by my explanation during the committee hearing on justice,” Suntay said. “This will serve as a reminder for me to be more careful in choosing examples and words in public discussions,” he added.

The Philippine Commission on Women said the lawmaker’s remarks may violate at least three laws: the Safe Spaces Act; Republic Act No. 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women; and Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The commission added that Suntay may have also violated the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, an international treaty that the Philippines ratified in 1981.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) also condemned Suntay’s remarks, saying that despite his intent, “remarks that sexualize or demean women undermine the country’s hard-earned progress toward gender equality and reinforce attitudes that trivialize harassment and discrimination.”

“If left unaddressed, such conduct risks fostering an unsafe atmosphere within the halls of Congress where unwanted, uninvited, and sexualized remarks toward women may be casually made or tolerated,” the CHR said in a statement.