ILOILO City – Mayor Raisa Treñas has condemned remarks made by Quezon City’s Cong. Danilo Ramon “Bong” Suntay involving actress Anne Curtis during a House hearing, calling the statement unacceptable and urging the lawmaker to issue a “sincere and unequivocal apology,” especially as the country marks Women’s Month.
Treñas issued the statement after Suntay drew criticism for an analogy he made during a House committee on justice hearing while questioning the third impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
In challenging allegations that Duterte committed acts of political destabilization, sedition, and insurrection, Suntay argued that merely attending rallies critical of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. or uttering statements such as calling oneself a “designated survivor” should not be treated as criminal acts.
He said that “the mere utterance” of calling oneself a designated survivor was not illegal, adding that people could not be penalized for unenforceable statements or mere thoughts.
Suntay then cited a personal example. His exact words were: “Alam mo, minsan, nasa Shangri-la ako, nakita ko si Anne Curtis, ang ganda-ganda pala niya. You know, may desire sa loob ko na nag-init talaga. Na-imagine ko na lang kung ano ang pwedeng mangyari. Pero syempre, hanggang imagination na lang ‘yon. Hindi naman siguro ako pwedeng kasuhan dahil kung anu-ano ‘yong na-imagine ko,” Suntay said.
Treñas said the remarks were unacceptable.
“As a woman and as Mayor of Iloilo City, I cannot stay silent and strongly condemn the recent remarks made by Cong. Bong Suntay involving Anne Curtis, especially during Women’s Month,” she said in a statement.
“Such statements are unacceptable. They are uncalled for, and they have no place in public discourse, most especially coming from a Member of Congress,” the mayor added.
Treñas stressed that public officials must be mindful of their words, as their statements carry weight and influence public culture.
“When a public official speaks, their words carry weight. Casual objectification, whether disguised as imagination or humor, demeans women and erodes the very culture of respect and equality that we are working so hard to build,” she said.
Calling her statement “a firm call to respect women at all times,” Treñas urged Suntay to reflect on the responsibility that comes with holding public office./PN
