Mayor Joy Belmonte, nag-react sa pahayag ni Cong. Suntay ukol kay Anne Curtis

• Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte called on Quezon City Representative Bong Suntay to apologize for controversial remarks involving Anne Curtis
• Belmonte said the comments contradict the city’s long-standing efforts to promote women’s dignity and empowerment
• She emphasized that Suntay himself once helped pass key gender-protection policies in Quezon City
• The congressman later issued an apology, saying he had never met Curtis and was merely making an analogy

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte released a strong statement urging Congressman Bong Suntay to apologize for controversial remarks he made involving actress Anne Curtis during a recent House committee hearing.

In her message, Belmonte emphasized that the comments were inappropriate and ran counter to the principles of women’s dignity and empowerment that Quezon City has long championed through various policies and ordinances.

“I urge Congressman Bong Suntay to apologize for the inappropriate remarks that he made at a recent House committee hearing.

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His words directly contradict the spirit of empowerment that we have worked hard to build here in Quezon City. Over the years, we have embraced the difficult work of establishing protections for women, constantly striving to honor their rights by creating safe spaces and opportunities for them.

In this context, it is truly disappointing to witness Congressman Suntay’s casual display of objectification, on Women’s Month no less. But what makes this incident especially troubling is the fact that, as a former member of our City Council, he 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.

Our policies are a declaration of our city’s values—of what we stand for and what we refuse to tolerate. We expect our elected officials to be the first to live by them.

Thus, it is clear to me: We must not hesitate to push back against any act that undermines the dignity of our women. We must continue to stand for their safety, dignity, and equality—without exception and without compromise.

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We call on Congressman Suntay to take full accountability for his remarks, issue a proper apology, and conduct himself with the dignity that his office—and our city—demand. Our people deserve no less.”

Following the backlash, Suntay later issued an apology for his remarks. He clarified that he had never personally met Anne Curtis and explained that his comment was meant as an analogy rather than a personal reference.

Anne Curtis entered the entertainment industry in the mid-1990s and steadily rose to become one of the Philippines’ most recognizable stars. She has headlined blockbuster films, starred in successful television dramas, and served as a longtime host of the noontime show It’s Showtime. Beyond acting, she expanded her career into music, fashion, and business ventures. Over the years, Anne has maintained her popularity by evolving with the industry while remaining relatable to fans. She is married to content creator and entrepreneur Erwan Heussaff, and they share a daughter named Dahlia.

Earlier, Senator Risa Hontiveros also called on Rep. Bong Suntay to apologize for his controversial remarks about Anne Curtis. She stressed that there is “absolutely no excuse” for statements she described as offensive and inappropriate. Hontiveros reminded fellow lawmakers that gender-based harassment is punishable under the Bawal Bastos Law, which she authored. According to the senator, safeguarding the dignity and respect of women is especially important during Women’s Month.

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Meanwhile, talent manager and entertainment personality Ogie Diaz criticized Bong Suntay’s comments about Anne Curtis during the impeachment proceedings. Diaz shared a news article on Facebook and called the remarks “inappropriate for the Lower House.” He also urged public officials to focus on facts and uphold integrity rather than indulging in personal fantasies.

Source: KAMI.com.gh