House reprimands Suntay for lewd remarks, requires sensitivity training

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay has been reprimanded by the House of Representatives for his lewd and sexist remarks about actress Anne Curtis, with the chamber ordering him to attend gender-sensitivity training and render community service.

During Wednesday’s session, 263 House lawmakers voted in favor of adopting the recommendations of the House committee on ethics and privileges, which sought to penalize Suntay for his actions during the March 3 hearing of the committee on justice.

Eight members opposed the recommendations, while seven abstained.

According to the committee report presented by panel chairperson and 4Ps party-list Rep. JC Abalos, Suntay “admitted his mistake in uttering the inappropriate statements, and agreed to accept a disciplinary action of reprimand, undergo voluntary community service and a gender sensitivity training/seminar, and issue a public apology to all women.”

“With this determination, the committee has decided to suspend certain procedural requirements under the committee rules, for the limited purpose of expediting the resolution of said cases, and will adopt a committee report containing all its findings and recommendations,” it added.

Suntay made the remarks about Curtis while the committee on justice was discussing the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, particularly allegations that she violated laws on sedition when she said in a press briefing that she wanted to cut President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s head off and that she wanted to be a “designated survivor.”

According to Suntay, Duterte cannot be penalized for thinking out loud. In reference, Suntay said he cannot be charged for feeling heat welling up inside him and imagining things after seeing Curtis at a mall.

“You know, the statement being the designated survivor, it’s not illegal, it’s not criminal, in fact it’s a process in the United States, mere utterance na I’m designating myself… in fact, it is not possible, can you designate yourself without a process? She only said that in jest, maybe she was joking,” Suntay said.

“Lastly, you know there was a time I was in Shangri-La, I saw Anne Curtis, she is really beautiful. You know, a desire inside me welled up, I felt the heat, and I just imagined what could happen, but of course, that is only my imagination. But I think I cannot be charged for what I was able to imagine,” he added.

Committee vice chairperson and San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora immediately moved to strike Suntay’s remarks from the hearing records.

Suntay objected, claiming there was nothing “sexual” about his remarks.

He added that the committee was “starting a dangerous precedent” by censuring manifestations even if they were “neither illegal nor immoral.”

Zamora reminded Suntay that such statements should not come from lawmakers, especially as the country celebrates National Women’s Month.

READ: Suntay hit for risqué remarks about Anne Curtis at impeachment hearing

Several lawmakers, including women’s rights advocate and Gabriela party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, said Suntay should apologize for sharing his “imagination,” arguing that doing so amounts to the objectification of women.

In a statement, Elago said Suntay’s remarks were unacceptable because they were disrespectful to women, adding that there should be no place for sexism anywhere.

READ: Suntay told: Sharing imagination of women is objectification

Suntay eventually apologized but maintained that he did nothing wrong.  Later on, the Quezon City lawmaker said that he has accepted his fate — being criticized for his lewd remarks — as long as it brings attention to the arguments he raised at the impeachment hearing. /mcm