Hontiveros: No excuse for Bong Suntay’s remarks about Anne Curtis

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday lambasted Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay over his controversial remark about actress Anne Curtis, saying he should apologize for what he said. 

Hontiveros, chairman of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, stressed that there is absolutely no excuse for the congressman’s repulsive remarks.

“Ang mas nakakabahala, patuloy pa niyang iginigiit na walang mali sa kanyang sinabi,” the senator said. 

(What is more concerning is that he continues to insist that there is nothing wrong with what he said.)

“The Representative must be reminded that under the Bawal Bastos Law, which I authored, gender-based harassment is punishable. Statements of sexual comments and suggestions can be penalized. As a lawmaker, he should know this. More importantly, he is duty-bound to uphold it,” she added. 

Earlier on Wednesday, Suntay apologized for those who were hurt by his statement, but insisted that there was no malice in it. 

“I stand by my statement. That analogy was used to prove that statements are oftentimes taken out of context. Nagsisisi ako na may nasaktan na mga kababaihan because that was never the intention ng aking statement,” Suntay said in an interview. 

(I regret that some women were hurt because that was never the intention of my statement.) 

“Kagaya ng sinabi ko, hindi tayo perpektong tao. Maling analogy, hindi nagustuhan ng iba. Well, sorry doon sa mga hindi nakagusto. But actually, in fact that analogy was effective. Dahil hindi niyo ako papansinin kung hindi binigay ‘yung analogy na yun. Which is very sad.”

(Like I said, we are not perfect people. It was a wrong analogy, others didn't like it. Well, sorry to those who didn't like it. But actually, in fact that analogy was effective. Because you wouldn't have paid attention to me if that analogy hadn't been given. Which is very sad.) 

Hontiveros, meanwhile, said the incident is a reminder that advancing women’s dignity and basic respect is continuous work and should be reaffirmed again and again, especially now is National Women’s Month. 

“Huwag nating hayaang maging normal ang kabastusan. Patuloy tayong manindigan para sa kababaihan,” she said. 

(Let's not let profanity become normal. Let's continue to stand up for women.) 

The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) likewise denounced Suntay’s remarks, describing it a “public act of sexual objectification.” 

“These words are not harmless expressions of respect. They are a public act of sexual objectification—a declaration of predatory desire directed at a woman, made openly, by a person who holds public trust and authority,” the commission said in a statement.

“They reduce a woman to an object of male desire, normalizing a culture of harassment that Filipino women experience every day in streets, workplaces, and public spaces. They are an affront not only to Ms. Anne Curtis, but to every Filipino woman who has been made to feel unsafe by the unbridled language of those in power,” it added. 

The PCW also urged Suntay to issue a public apology “not the kind that begins with ‘if anyone was offended,’ but one that takes full and unambiguous responsibility for the harm his words have caused.”

It also called on the House ethics committee and to take appropriate administrative action in accordance with Republic Act No. 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. —AOL, GMA Integrated News