Who is Bong Suntay?

Jesus Manuel “Bong” Suntay is a Filipino businessman and politician currently serving as the representative of Quezon City’s 4th District in the House of Representatives.

Before entering national politics, Suntay served multiple terms as a member of the Quezon City Council representing the 4th District. He later became the council’s majority floor leader.

During his tenure at the city council, Suntay was part of the body that approved several gender-related measures, including the Bawal Bastos ordinance, a local law penalizing sexual harassment and degrading remarks in public spaces.

The ordinance, passed in 2016, was later cited among local measures supporting the enactment of Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act, also known as the national anti–street harassment law.

Business background

Outside politics, Suntay is known in the petroleum and transport sectors.

He founded Cleanfuel, a fuel company that operates stations nationwide. He has also been involved in the leadership of the Philippine National Taxi Operators Association, representing taxi operators and other transport stakeholders.

Anne Curtis remark controversy

Suntay recently drew criticism after making a remark referencing actress Anne Curtis during a House hearing related to impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.

During the hearing, Suntay cited Curtis while arguing that having an imagination about someone does not necessarily constitute a crime. The remark drew backlash from several lawmakers and observers.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte later urged Suntay to apologize, noting that he had previously been part of the city council that passed ordinances aimed at protecting women from harassment.

Suntay subsequently apologized, saying his comment was intended only as an analogy during the discussion.

Archived report on alleged gun incident

Following the controversy, old newspaper clippings circulated on social media resurfaced, referring to an alleged incident during Suntay’s earlier stint as a city councilor.

One archived report, titled “QC councilor facing criminal charges,” alleged that Suntay struck a man with the butt of a handgun and fired a gun inside the man’s residence after confronting him about his wife.

The report identified the complainant as architect Chris Cevaso, described as the former boyfriend of Suntay’s wife. The incident was reported to have taken place at Cevaso’s residence in San Juan.

According to the archived newspaper account, Cevaso told police that Suntay pointed a 9mm handgun at him, ordered him to sit down, and allegedly struck him with the firearm, after which he reportedly lost consciousness.—MCG, GMA Integrated News