‘Disgusting!’: Female celebs, advocates slam congressman for ‘nag-init’ comment

Posted by ReyFort Media

Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay is facing backlash after recounting a story about actress Anne Curtis that many netizens and public figures described as inappropriate.

In a circulating video, Suntay shared an anecdote about seeing Curtis at a mall and spoke about his reaction at the time, including remarks about his “imagination” and whether he could be held liable for it.

He said, “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 puwedeng mangyari. Pero siyempre, hanggang imagination na lang ‘yun. Hindi naman siguro ako puwedeng kasuhan dahil kung anu-ano ‘yung na-imagine ko.”

The comments, which surfaced during Women’s Month, quickly drew criticism online, with several female celebrities and women’s rights advocates calling out the lawmaker over his statements.

Jasmine Curtis-Smith wrote, “Respectfully, Bong Suntay, what on earth? Bakit ganoon ang thinking? Happy National Women’s Month.”

She added, “‘Yung init ng ulo at dugo ko.. ang hirap matulog ha!”

Lotlot de Leon said, “OMG! And you’re supposed to be a STATESMAN!? To even speak about this out loud! Have you no decency at all?!?”

Suntay ought to apologize, according to Karen Davila.

“Without the consciousness, knowledge or decency of how women should be talked about. Please keep your sick thoughts to yourself. More than striking his comments off the record, he should apologize,” the broadcaster expressed.

Bianca Gonzalez tweeted, “Please let us not normalize this behavior. Disgusting, especially for a public servant. 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.”

Amy Perez wrote, “Disgusting talaga!”

Meanwhile, the Gabriela party-list called on Suntay to issue a public apology, stating, “Ang pagbabahagi ng kanyang imahinasyon tungkol sa isang babae—anumang dahilan—ay tahasang pambabastos at pag-objectify sa kababaihan.”

The group added, “There is no place for sexism and objectification of women by public officials. We will continue to demand respect, uphold women’s dignity, and push for accountability.”

Suntay’s remarks were also denounced by the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality.

“Hindi ito simpleng biro o harmless na komento. Ang pagre-reduce sa isang babae bilang object of sexual imagination, lalo na sa opisyal na pagdinig, ay tahasang sexist at nakakahiya. Wala itong lugar sa anumang institusyong dapat nagtataguyod ng respeto at propesyonalismo,” they shared.

Known for her initiatives for women, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte also criticized the congressman for his “casual display of objectification.”

Describing Suntay’s comment as inappropriate, Belmonte said, “As a former member of our City Council, he (Suntay) was part of the body that passed our Gender and Development Code. Moreover, he was the majority floor leader of the city council when we passed the Bawal Bastos Ordinance, which declares that lewd, malicious, and demeaning remarks and acts have no place in public life. Quezon City instituted this policy in 2016 — ahead of the national Safe Spaces Act.” (J. Mecado/abs-cbn News)

As of this date, Suntay initially doubled down on his comments, saying that Curtis should take it as a compliment. He later issued an apology but said he stood by his statements. 

“I stand by that analogy that I made but if some people were offended, lalo na Women’s Month, I’m sorry for those who were offended but if you read the context talaga, there was nothing malicious in it,” Suntay said in an interview with DZMM.