Bong Suntay (right) and Anne Curtis
By Samantha Yu
MANILA — Quezon City Representative Bong Suntay expressed regret over his controversial remarks involving actress Anne Curtis, which he made during a hearing on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, but emphasized that his comments were not meant to offend.
The lawmaker’s statement drew criticism from fellow legislators and from Jasmine Curtis-Smith, the actress’s sister. Critics said the remarks were inappropriate, particularly because they were made during Women’s Month.
Speaking to DZMM on Wednesday, Suntay said he apologized to those who felt offended but maintained that the remark was part of an analogy used during the discussion.
“I apologize to anyone who found the statement offensive, but there was no malicious intent,” he said. “The statement was made to emphasize a point.”
Suntay also explained that although someone suggested removing the comment from the official record of the hearing, he chose to keep it because it was part of the context of his argument.
The comment was made during Tuesday’s session of the House Committee on Justice, which was examining the third impeachment complaint filed against Duterte.
Suntay questioned allegations that accuse the vice president of political destabilization, sedition, and insurrection, saying that some claims were based merely on Duterte’s attendance at rallies critical of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
He argued that attending such events does not automatically constitute sedition and that Duterte’s reference to herself as a “designated survivor” was not illegal because it was only a statement and not part of any formal process.
While explaining his point, Suntay recalled seeing Curtis at a hotel and said he imagined certain things at the time. He stressed that a person cannot face criminal charges simply for thoughts or imagination.
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