Bong Suntay faces House ethics probe over 'desire' remarks

The House of Representatives on Wednesday ordered Quezon City Fourth District Rep. Bong Suntay to face the House Committee on Ethics over his controversial remarks involving actress Anne Curtis.

This followed the House plenary’s approval of motions by San Juan Rep. Belle Zamora referring the privilege speech of Laguna First District Rep. Ann Matibag, which called out Suntay’s statements for appropriate action by the ethics panel.

“I also move to authorize the committee to schedule a meeting to conduct a thorough assessment of the actuations and statements of Rep. Jesus Bong Suntay relative to the question of privilege raised by Rep. Ann Matibag,” Zamora said.

“Secondly, I move to require Representative Suntay to appear at the committee hearing and for the committee to immediately report its findings and recommendations to the House following the scheduled hearing,” she added.

The controversy stemmed from the remarks made by Suntay during Tuesday's House committee hearing, wherein he defended Vice President Sara Duterte for expressing desire to cut off the head of the President, as well as her quip about being a “designated survivor” for skipping the State of the Nation Address (SONA).

He said the Vice President's statements are merely matters of imagination and not impeachable offenses—just like his own imagination of Curtis, which he said caused him to feel “sudden heat.”

Suntay recounted seeing Curtis in a mall, saying she was “so beautiful” and that “may desire sa loob ko na nag-init talaga” (There was a desire in me and I felt the heat).

Before the motions were approved, several House members also stood before the plenary to criticize Suntay, including Gabriela party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co, and Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno.

“We, in Gabriela Women’s Party, join the Chairperson of the Committee on Women and Gender Equality, Rep. Ann Matibag, in calling out remarks that reinforce the very culture of objectification of women that this institution has a duty to dismantle,” Elago said.

She warned that failing to address offensive remarks against women in the House only perpetuates harassment and inequality in society.

“This is also a matter of dignity and equality. Women are half of the people we represent—and many bear the heaviest burdens of poverty, high prices, low wages, workplace harassment, and violence at home and in public spaces," Elago said.

"If this Chamber cannot model basic respect, then we contribute to the normalization of harassment and discrimination everywhere else,” she added.

Suntay took the floor to explain his side and apologize "to those offended," but he maintained that his statements were not malicious.

“There was no malice intended. And if malice is inferred from my statement, I wish to apologize to those hurt or offended,” he said.

Suntay also highlighted his record advocating for women’s rights, noting that he co-authored the Gender and Development Code and the Bawal Bastos Ordinance when he served as a Quezon City councilor.

He emphasized that he is ready to face the consequences of his remarks.

“These measures I authored in Quezon City were not small achievements. They were early attempts to build a culture of respect and accountability toward women in public spaces. My actions and past record will show the kind of person I am,” Suntay said.

“If my colleagues wish to judge me for one statement I made, that is their right. I respect that right,” he added.—MCG, GMA Integrated News