ILOILO – The 2nd District’s Cong. Kathryn Joyce Gorriceta rebuked Quezon City’s Cong. Bong Suntay over his controversial remarks about actress Anne Curtis, warning that statements that demean or objectify women have no place in public discourse and run counter to the spirit of the Safe Spaces Act.
Gorriceta is the vice chairperson of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Women and Gender Equality.
Suntay’s comments during a House hearing sparked criticism from women’s rights advocates and lawmakers.
“I express deep concern over the recent remarks made by a Member of the House directed at Anne Curtis. Regardless of intent, statements that diminish, objectify, or disrespect women have no place in public discourse. They reinforce harmful attitudes that we have long been working to dismantle,” read part of Gorriceta’s official statement.
Gorriceta emphasized that Philippine laws clearly protect women from gender-based harassment and degrading treatment, citing the Safe Spaces Act, also known as Republic Act No. 11313.
She said the law underscores the state’s commitment to preventing gender-based sexual harassment in streets, public spaces, workplaces, online platforms, and educational institutions, and recognizes that words, gestures, and actions that devalue women contribute to a culture of harassment and inequality.
“There is no room — in Congress or anywhere else — for statements that demean, objectify, or disrespect women. Public office demands discipline, accountability, and respect. When a woman is reduced to commentary that undermines her dignity, we do not merely offend one individual — we reinforce a culture that tolerates sexism and trivializes women’s worth,” she added.
Gorriceta said she stands in solidarity with women who expect and deserve respect in all settings, public or private, and reiterated her commitment to advancing legislation and initiatives that uphold women’s rights and dignity.
“Respect is not optional. Equality is not negotiable,” she said.
Controversial remarks were made by Suntay during a House Committee on Justice hearing on Tuesday while discussing the third impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.
He argued that Duterte could not be held liable for sedition simply for attending a rally and that her remark about being a “designated survivor” should not be treated as a criminal act.
“You know, ‘yung statement being the designated survivor, it’s not illegal. It’s not criminal. In fact, it’s a process in the United States, the mere utterance that I’m designating myself — in fact, that’s not possible: Can you designate yourself without a process? She just said it. Maybe she was just kidding,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Suntay then drew a personal analogy involving Curtis, recalling an encounter in a commercial establishment and admitting he imagined things about the actress while emphasizing that such thoughts could not be criminalized./PN
