Women’s rights advocates file ethics complaint vs. Bong Suntay over Anne Curtis remark

Women’s rights advocates on Thursday filed an ethics complaint against Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay over his controversial remarks involving actress Anne Curtis.

The group was accompanied by Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago.

Read: Who is Bong Suntay?

This comes a day after the House of Representatives on Wednesday ordered Suntay to face the House Committee on Ethics for her remarks during Tuesday's House committee hearing related to impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.

During the hearing, 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).

Suntay has apologized "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.

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

Former Gabriela party-list Rep. Liza Maza, says the filing of the ethics complaint against Suntay was because the lawmaker did not express any remorse over his comments.

"Pag-aralan niya ang batas kasi mambabatas siya," Maza told reporters after filing the complaint... Dahil mambabatas siya, dapat mas mabigat ang parusa niya kaysa sa ibang tao," Maza said.

(He should study the law because he's a legislator.  Because he is a legislator, his punishment should be more severe than other people.) — with reports from Llanesca T. Panti/ VAL, GMA Integrated News