Anne Curtis has finally spoken out against Quezon City Representative Bong Suntay’s viral lewd remarks.
In a social media post, she said staying silent about such behavior would be wrong for every woman.
“Hi. It took me a while to speak up. I was focused on what mattered most, being reunited with my family, who were stranded in the Middle East and getting home safely. I am home now, and now I’m ready to say what needs to be said. Not for revenge or drama, but because remaining silent would be wrong... for me, and for every woman watching,” she wrote.
Anne went on to say that she felt hurt and disgusted by the sexualized analogy involving her name.
“By now, many of you have heard the remarks made by Mr. Bong Suntay. A vulgar, sexualized analogy. My name disgustingly used without my consent, in the wrong context, and more importantly, without an ounce of respect. My initial reaction was one of shock. I was hurt, disturbed by how perverted it was, and angry. But now my thoughts are clear,” she shared.
The It’s Showtime host described the experience as something many women face, noting that it was more troubling because it involved a public official.
“What happened to me isn’t rare. It happens to women every day... in offices, in group chats, in rooms where men think no one is listening, or worse, in rooms where they know everyone is and simply don’t care. What made this incident different is that it came from someone holding public office,” she mentioned.
Anne also called out Bong Suntay, noting how the remarks reflected a larger culture of misogyny in public discourse.
“Mr. Suntay, I won’t spend much time on you. Not because what you did was small, but because this was never really about you. Since you used me as an example, let me use you as one too. You’ve become the poster boy of something much bigger: a culture that still thinks it’s acceptable to talk about women this way. Worse, one that tolerates it from our leaders.
She went on to emphasize that women are not props: “As they say, misogyny dressed up as a joke is still misogyny. You hold a seat paid for by taxpayers. Women are taxpayers. I am a taxpayer. We are not props in your commentary.”
Anne firmly stated that she would not accept the non-apology of Suntay, but expressed empathy for his wife, Sheila Guevara-Suntay, who also apologized to the actress.
“I do not accept your non-apology. But I also will not carry this as a personal wound. I do, however, accept your wife’s apology. Because as a wife and a mother myself, I know exactly what she must be feeling — that particular kind of embarrassment, that helplessness, that quiet grief of watching someone choose so poorly in public. To her, and to your children: this is not your shame. Please know that. And I hope everyone reading this extends them the same grace. They did nothing wrong, and they deserve to be left out of it entirely,” she said.
She also expressed how women deserve better, stressing that the responsibility to speak up goes beyond one incident.
“Now, what I will carry is the responsibility to say clearly, on behalf of every woman who has ever been spoken about this way: We deserve better. Not just now, while this topic is a hot issue, but EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Not just from Mr. Suntay. From all of it. From the casual sexism disguised as clever remarks. From public officials who forget who they serve. From a culture that still asks women to laugh it off, to not be so sensitive and to pick their battles," the actress added.
Anne continued, saying how she refuses to accept remarks that ultimately diminish women.
“Every time a remark like this goes unchallenged, we lower the bar for what leadership looks like. Every time a woman is reduced to a cheap remark by someone holding a position of public trust, and nothing happens... we tell the next generation of women exactly where they stand. That is what I refuse to accept,” she expressed.
The actress assured the public that she will not let the matter pass and will seek legal advice.
“Any leader who cannot respect women does not understand leadership at all. Respecting women, after all, is simply basic decency. To the ethics committee: I hope you do not let this pass. The integrity of public office depends on the standards it upholds. I will be seeking legal advice and will consider all my options looking forward,” she emphasized.
She went on thanking those who continue to fight for respect and emphasizing that Women’s Month remains as important as ever.
“I cannot believe how many misogynists have revealed themselves the past couple of days. To everyone who used their voice to stand up for us and fight for our respect, both men and women, THANK YOU. and if anyone is wondering why Women's Month still matters - this is exactly why,” Anne wrote.
The statement came after Bong Suntay used a lewd analogy involving Anne Curtis during deliberations of the House Committee on Justice on March 3, drawing criticism from netizens, celebrities, and women’s rights groups.