The mother of actress and TV host Anne Curtis has broken her silence following controversial remarks made by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, who recently defended comments by QC Rep. Bong Suntay and criticized Anne’s sister, actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith.
The remarks were made during an episode of Atty.Topacio’s program Yes… Yes… Yo! Topacio, on March 5. In the episode, the lawyer spoke in defense of Rep. Suntay, who has been widely criticized for his remarks referencing his “desire” and “imagination” involving Anne during a House hearing on the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.
During the program, Atty. Topacio shared his view on the issue and argued that certain thoughts or fantasies should not be treated as wrongdoing.
“Kahit anong sama ng iniisip mo, may nakita kang babae, gusto mong gahasain, gusto mong halayin, gusto mong daklutin, harapan na. Hindi kasalanan ‘yun,” he said.
Atty. Topacio also claimed that Rep. Suntay’s statement had been misunderstood by the public. According to him, the controversy surrounding the remarks was amplified because many people were focused on the ongoing political tensions tied to the impeachment issue.
The lawyer also directed criticism at Jasmine after she condemned Rep. Suntay’s remarks against her sister. In the same discussion, Atty. Topacio questioned why Jasmine posts bikini photos on social media, suggesting that such content invites public attention and desire.
“Yung kapatid, bumanat pa, si Jasmine Curtis, parang binabastos daw ‘yung kapatid niya, hindi daw tama...Ikaw Jasmine, bakit ka nagpo-post ng bikini pictures mo sa social media, sa mga pahayagan? Hindi ba para ikaw ay pagnasahan at sumikat?” Atty. Topacio said. “‘Wag mong sabihing art ‘yon o ine-endorso mo ‘yung brand nung bikini — BS ‘yan.”
Atty. Topacio also referenced other personalities in the entertainment industry as he continued explaining his point.
“‘Yung mga artista d’yan, sina Ivana Alawi, bakit sila nagpo-post? ‘Di ba para sa views?” he added. “Straight talk.”
The comments drew a response from Anne and Jasmine’s mother, Carmen, who addressed the lawyer directly in a Facebook post and expressed strong objection to what she described as offensive remarks about her daughter.
“Ferdinand Topacio your comment was completely below the belt, you have no right to say those nasty words about my daughter, or to judge her in any way,” she wrote.
Carmen went on to say that she found the remarks disrespectful, not only toward Jasmine but toward women in general. She also urged the lawyer to be mindful of the impact of his words.
“That kind of behaviour is disgusting, disgraceful and absolutely unacceptable. You were not only disrespecting my daughter but showing (disrespect) to all woman. Think carefully before you speak!!!! Your words have consequences !!!”
“Ferdinand Topacio!! You have a filthy mouth!!!” she maintained.
In an earlier post, Carmen also shared the YouTube link to the now-private video and questioned why the lawyer appeared to be searching for and commenting on her daughter’s photos.
“Mr.Ferdinand Topacio bakit nyo hinahanap at tinitignan ang mga picture ng ANAK ko na naka-bikini?? Wala din syang endorsement na naka-bikini .At di sya nag popost para sa inyo! Ginagawa ng mga babae ang mag post ng kanilang sarili dahil mahal nila sarili nila.. …Dogyut ka!!”
READ: Anne Curtis, Erwan Heussaff, and daughter Dahlia safely return to Manila
Meanwhile, Jasmine also reacted online. She reposted a clip from the lawyer’s statements on her Facebook Stories and expressed her shock at what was said.
“YOWWWWW WHAT THE ACTUAL ????? WHAT THE!!!! DUGYOT KA!” Jasmine wrote.
The issue traces back to the earlier remarks made by Rep. Suntay that involved Anne’s name. The actress herself previously addressed the matter publicly, saying she was deeply disturbed that her name was used in what she described as a disrespectful and sexualized context.
“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.
Anne explained that the incident reflects a broader issue faced by many women, particularly when such remarks come from individuals in positions of authority.
“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.”
While the actress said she would not accept what she described as a non-apology from Rep. Suntay, she acknowledged the apology made by his wife, Sheila Guevara-Suntay.
Anne also emphasized that remarks like these should not go unchallenged, warning that silence could normalize disrespect toward women. The It’s Showtime host further said she intends to explore possible legal steps following the controversy.
“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 previously wrote in a statement.
Anne has safely returned to Manila with her family after being stranded abroad for several days following disrupted flights in the Middle East.