Veteran broadcast journalist Karen Davila and television host Bianca Gonzalez have joined the growing number of public figures criticizing Quezon City 4th District Representative Bong Suntay over his controversial remark about actress and ‘It’s Showtime’ host Anne Curtis.
The issue stemmed from a statement Suntay made during a hearing of the House Committee on Justice discussing impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a social media post, Davila directly called out the congressman’s behavior, stressing that a public servant should know how to speak respectfully about women.
“A congressman. A representative of the people. Paid by the people. A husband, a father with daughters. Without the consciousness, knowledge or decency of how women should be talked about. Please keep your sick thoughts to yourself.”
She also argued that removing the remarks from the official records of the hearing was not enough.
“More than striking his comments off the record, he should apologize. Women’s Month pa talaga.”
On X (formerly Twitter), Gonzalez also criticized the lawmaker’s statement, warning against normalizing such behavior from public officials.
“Please let us NOT NORMALIZE THIS BEHAVIOR. DISGUSTING, especially for a public servant.”
She added that the situation was made worse by what she described as a lack of remorse.
“The fact that there is no remorse, no clue as to why what he said was offensive and inappropriate, and even commented in an interview that ‘she should take my remark as a compliment’ is what makes this disgusting comment even more disgusting.”
During the House proceedings, Suntay used Curtis as an example while discussing Vice President Duterte’s remarks about being a “designated survivor.”
“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, at na-imagine ko na lang kung ano ang puwedeng mangyari. Pero siyempre hanggang imagination lang ’yon.”
Several lawmakers immediately objected to the statement, saying it was irrelevant to the hearing and inappropriate.
A motion was later filed and approved to strike the remark from the official records of the proceedings.
The controversy has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many netizens calling for accountability from the lawmaker.
Curtis’ sister, actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith, also spoke out, emphasizing that the issue reflects how women continue to be objectified in spaces dominated by men in power.
“This moment is not about one female celebrity. It is about how ALL WOMEN, regardless of profession, continue to be reduced to bodies in spaces dominated by men in power.”
“Respect is not complicated. If we want safer environments for our daughters, nieces, and future leaders, accountability must begin with those elected to represent us.”
As of writing, neither Anne Curtis nor her husband Erwan Heussaff has issued an official statement regarding the incident.
