Bong Suntay apologizes to Anne Curtis, but stands by 'analogy'

Quezon City Representative Bong Suntay has apologized to actress Anne Curtis and to those who were offended by his remarks during the House Committee on Justice's deliberations on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday.

"While may mga tao siguro that found the analogy in bad taste, doon sa mga na-offend, tayo'y, inuulit ko, walang malice doon sa ninais nating gawin doon sa statement na iyon. Ayaw natin makasakit through that analogy. But kung may nasaktan, humihingi tayo ng dispensa. Kay Ms. Anne Curtis din, kung nasaktan siya sa sinabi, uulitin ko, there was no malice intended at tayo humihingi ng dispensa sa kanya. Pero when, totoo yung it was a fictitious situation na aking ginawa. Isa lang ang totoo doon. Yung sinabi kong ang ganda-ganda niya," Suntay said in an ambush interview Wednesday morning.

(There may be people who found my analogy to be in bad taste. To those offended, I repeat, there was no malice intended with my statement. We don't want to offend through that analogy. But if there are people who got offended, we seek forgiveness. To Ms. Anne Curtis, if she was offended, I repeat, there was no malice intended. We are asking forgiveness from her. What I said was fictitious and the only truth there is when I said that she is very beautiful,)

Still, Suntay stood by the analogy he made to show that imagination is not an impeachable offense.

"Pinakita sa video yung kay VP Sara (Duterte) at one of the allegations being used for the impeachment ay yung desire at saka yung kanyang imagination to inflict harm. Sabi ko nga, desire and imagination is not an impeachable offense," Suntay said.

(The video of VP Sara was shown and one of the allegations being used for the impeachment is the desire and imagination to inflict harm. As I said, desire and imagination is not an impeachable offense.)

"I stand by my statement. That analogy was used to prove that statements are oftentimes taken out of context. Nagsisisi ako na may nasaktang mga kababaihan (I am sorry if there were women offended) because that was never the intention ng aking (of my) statement," he added.

“That analogy was not meant maliciuosly. It was an analogy based on the context of the impeachment hearings. It may have been in bad taste for some. I apologize kung meron tayong mga sensitivities na tinamaan but that was not the intention,” Suntay said.

(I apologize if those were offensive to some.)

“The intention was to make a point that usually, oftentimes, statements are taken out of context and conclusions are made. Secondlly, desires and imagination cannot be made an impeachable offense. Because you need an overt act. Desires and imagination are not a criminal offenses. That’s the analogy. I regret na may nasaktan. But I don't regret making that analogy,” Suntay added.

(I regret that people were offended over my statements.)

Gender sensitivity training

When asked about Akbayan party-list Representative Perci Cendaña's call for him to undergo gender sensitivity training, Suntay replied, "That's uncalled for kasi ang sinasabi ko nga (since what I've been saying is) that the stated analogy was purely taken out of context and there was no malice meant in that statement." 

Cendaña earlier called on Suntay to apologize to Anne Curtis and for him to undergo a gender sensitivity training.

"Siyempre, nalulungkot tayo na makarinig ng mga ganoong mga remarks that objectify women, especially in a process na dapat ina-uphold ang justice and accountability. Kaya may panawagan tayo, a very sincere one, to Rep. Suntay and to all members of the House of Representatives to undergo a gender sensitivity training. Walang espasyo dito sa kapulungag ito at kahit saan para sa pag-objectify ng kababainan," Cendaña said.

(We are saddened if we hear those kind of remarks that objectify women, especially in a process that should uphold justice ad accountability. That's why we sincerely call on Rep. Suntay and all members of the House of Representatives to undergo a gender sensitivity training. There is no space here and anywhere to objectify women.)

When asked if Suntay should apologize, Cendaña replied, "Again, it's a fervent appeal to Representative Suntay to apologize to Anne Curtis and to all women na na-offend doon sa kanyang (offended by his remarks),  lalong-lalo na sa mga miyembro nitong komite at doon sa mga present kahapon dito sa hearing natin (especially to the members of the committee present in the hearing yesterday)."

Cendaña was also asked if the Akbayan party-list will file an ethics complaint against Suntay. He said the party-list has not reached this point yet.

"Ang mga ganitong issue po hindi po dapat ipinagsasantabi lalo na po yung mga lawmakers. Kasi tayo ang gumagawa ng batas dito. So tayo dapat yung unang naga-uphold ng mga batas na iyon. We should work for safe spaces in our society. We should work for respect for women at nakalulungkot kapag sa espasyong ito na ma-violate yon," Cendaña emphasized.

"Hwag nating gamitin ang objectification of women para lang ipagtanggol si VP Sara Duterte," he added.

(This kind of issue should not be dismissed by lawmakers since we are the ones who make laws. We should be the ones to uphold laws. We should not use objectification of women just to defend VP Sara Duterte.) 

For House Assistant Minority Leader Sarah Elago, Suntay's lack of remorse over his statements normalizes disrespect towards women.

"Ang mga pahayag na nagtatrato sa mga kababaihan bilang object ng “imagination” at “desire” sa public hearing at interview ay may real-life consequences sa mga babaeng nakararanas ng iba’t ibang porma ng pambabastos, diskriminasyon, at abuso sa araw-araw. Hindi dapat nagiging normal ang ganito lalo pa sa Kongreso at public office kung saan nakakaapekto ang mismong mga salita, pahayag, at aksyon ng mga public officials sa mga patakaran, sa kultura, at pang-araw-araw na buhay ng mga kababaihan at lahat ng ordinaryong mamamayan," Elago said.

(These statements objectifying women and desire in public hearing have real-life consequences for woman who endure disrespect, discrimination and abuses on an everyday basis. These statements should not be normalized, especially by public officials.) — with Llanesca T. Panti/RSJ, GMA Integrated News