Philippine lawmaker draws flak for 'sexist' remark A Filipino lawmaker has faced backlash for making a "sexist" remark about actress Anne Curtis during a congressional hearing on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte. Jesus Manuel Suntay, a member of the House of Representatives and an ally of Duterte, drew criticism for his comment, which occurred during a session of the Congressional Justice Committee on March 3. The hearing addressed two impeachment complaints against Duterte, who is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte and currently faces charges of misusing $10.5 million in funds and plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and a relative. Suntay dismissed the alleged assassination plot, claiming Duterte’s earlier statement about "cutting" Marcos’ head was merely a product of imagination and not a punishable act. He then shifted the focus to Curtis, a high-profile actress with 19 million Facebook followers, by referencing his own "imagination" about her. In Filipino, he said, "I felt a desire inside me that really heated up. I just imagined what could happen. But of course that remained just an imagination. I probably can’t be sued just because of the things I imagined." The remark sparked outrage among fellow lawmakers, including several women legislators, who condemned the comment as sexist and degrading. Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora proposed removing Suntay’s statement from the congressional record, a move the committee approved. The incident quickly went viral in the predominantly Catholic nation, where such remarks by politicians are not uncommon. The controversy reignited discussions about the objectification of women in public life. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.#anne_curtis #jesus_manuel_suntay #sara_duterte #rodrido_duterte #ferdinand_marcos_jr
Nine Women Sue Bong Suntay Over ‘Lewd’ Remarks About Anne Curtis Nine women, including members of the World March of Women, have filed a formal complaint against Quezon City Representative Bong Suntay, accusing him of violating multiple laws through his recent remarks about actress and television host Anne Curtis. The complaint, submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, alleges that Suntay’s statements during a House committee session on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte breached several legal frameworks, including Republic Act No. 11313, the Safe Spaces Act, Republic Act No. 9710, the Magna Carta of Women, and Republic Act No. 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. The complainants also raised concerns about his potential violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), which governs the ethical conduct of Filipino lawyers. The complaint centers on Suntay’s remarks, which were described as a “declaration of predatory desire” by a government agency. The women argue that his comments, which included lewd and objectifying references to Anne Curtis, constitute violations of the Safe Spaces Act. This law prohibits actions such as cursing, wolf-whistling, catcalling, leering, and misogynistic slurs, all of which the complainants claim Suntay engaged in. They also emphasized that the Magna Carta of Women mandates government officials to protect women from discrimination and uphold their rights, which Suntay allegedly failed to do. Suntay, a lawyer, had previously apologized for his remarks, stating he was sorry “if some people were offended.#world_march_of_women #bong_suntay #anne_curtis #office_of_ombudsman #house_ethics_committee
