Anne Curtis breaks silence on Bong Suntay's remarks: 'I do not accept your non-apology'

Anne Curtis has finally addressed the viral issue with Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay, releasing a sharp and powerful statement on her social media.

The actress said she initially stayed silent because she focused on reuniting with her family, who had been stranded in the Middle East. Now that she's home in the Philippines, however, she is ready to say what needs to be said, "not for revenge or drama, but because remaining silent would be wrong… for me, and for every woman watching."

Condemning the remarks, Anne described Bong's so-called analogy as "vulgar and sexualized," her name used "without my consent… and without an ounce of respect."

Not only was she hurt, she was also “disturbed by how perverted it was, and angry.”

“What happened to me isn’t rare. It happens to women every day... in offices, in group chats, in rooms where men think no one is listening, or worse, in rooms where they know everyone is and simply don’t care. What made this incident different is that it came from someone holding public office,” she said.

Anne rejected Suntay’s apology, but acknowledged the apology issued by his wife.

“Mr. Suntay, I won't spend much time on you. Not because what you did was small, but because this was never really about you. Since you used me as an example, let me use you as one too. You've become the poster boy of something much bigger: a culture that still thinks it's acceptable to talk about women this way. Worse, one that tolerates it from our leaders. As they say, misogyny dressed up as a joke is still misogyny. You hold a seat paid for by taxpayers. Women are taxpayers. I am a taxpayer. We are not props in your commentary,” she said.

Anne continued, “I do not accept your non-apology. But I also will not carry this as a personal wound. I do, however, accept your wife's apology.”

She added that the incident reflects a larger issue of sexism that women continue to face.

“We deserve better. Not just now, while this topic is a hot issue, but EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Not just from Mr. Suntay. From all of it. From the casual sexism disguised as clever remarks. From public officials who forget who they serve. From a culture that still asks women to laugh it off, to not be so sensitive and to pick their battles.”

She also called on authorities to look into the matter, telling the ethics committee that she hopes they would not let this pass.

"The integrity of public office depends on the standards it upholds."

Additionally, she is seeking legal advice and will consider her options moving forward.

“I cannot believe how many misogynists have revealed themselves the past couple of days. To everyone who used their voice to stand up for us and fight for our respect, both men and women, THANK YOU. And if anyone is wondering why Women's Month still matters - this is exactly why.”

During the proceedings on the pending impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, Suntay verbalized his apparent desire for Anne and used it as an analogy in defense of Duterte’s previous remarks about being the “designated survivor” when she skipped the State of the Nation Address in 2024.

“Alam n’yo minsan, minsan nasa Shangri-La ako, nakita ko si Anne Curtis, ang ganda-ganda pala niya. You know, may desire sa loob ko na, nag-init talaga, na-imagine ko na lang kung ano’ng pwedeng mangyari pero siyempre hanggang imagination na lang ‘yon. Pero ‘di naman siguro ako pwedeng kasuhan kung ano ang na-imagine ko eh,” Suntay said.

He was called out by members of the House Committee on Justice and his remarks were later struck from record. Suntay issued an apology but stood by his "analogy."

Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Anne’s sister, slammed him for his comments and said the issue is about all women. More celebrities also expressed their disapproval and disgust for the remarks.

Anne’s legal counsel, Gorriceta Africa Cauton and Saavedra, denounced Suntay's recent remarks about the actress and called it "inappropriate and unacceptable." 

"No woman—whether a public figure or a private citizen—should be publicly spoken about in a way that reduces her to the subject of sexual commentary." 

—Carby Rose Basina/JCB, GMA Integrated News