Former Gabriela Party-list Representative Liza Maza on Thursday called on the House of Representatives to impose disciplinary action against Quezon City 4th District Representative Bong Suntay over his controversial remarks about actress and television host Anne Curtis.
Maza, joined by Gabriela National Alliance chair Gert Libang, Gabriela Youth spokesperson Fran Reyes, and Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan spokesperson Jacq Ruiz, filed an ethics complaint with the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
Gabriela Party-list Representative Sarah Elago accompanied them during the filing.
“Pwede siyang suspendihin ng ilang linggo. Pwede rin na magmulta siya at ibigay sa mga organisasyon ng mga kababaihan. At pwede rin siyang mag-community service. Yung ginagawa ng babae siguro sa bahay,” Maza told reporters.
She stressed the need for Suntay to appreciate the hard work of women, adding, “Mahirap ang ginagawa ng mga kababaihan sa kanilang mga bahay. Pagpapakain ng anak, pag-aalaga ng asawa, dapat gawin niya, maramdaman niya kung gaano kahirap ang ginagawa ng mga kababaihan na dapat irespeto lalo na ng isang mambabatas.”
Maza argued that Suntay’s comments violated multiple laws and ethical standards, including the Magna Carta of Women, the Safe Spaces Act, and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
“Ang tingin namin wala sa lugar ang isang kondukta ng isang halal na opisyales ng gobyerno na mataas pa naman ang kanyang posisyon nandito siya sa Kongreso,” she said.
She also questioned the sincerity of Suntay’s apology, saying: “Mukha namang hindi siya sinsero. Kasi hindi niya binawi yung sinasabi niya na dapat na i-treat ni Miss Curtis na compliment yung kanyang sinabi. Wala siyang binawi.”
“Pagpapakita lang ito ng kanyang attitude, yung pagtingin nya talaga sa kababaihan na habang nagsasalita siya lalong nabubulgar kung gaano siya ka-macho,” Maza added.
The complaint was prompted by Suntay’s remarks during a House Committee on Justice hearing discussing Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim of being the “designated survivor” and her threat against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
During the hearing, Suntay initially downplayed Duterte’s statement, calling it a possible joke.
He later recounted a supposed encounter with Curtis, stating:
“Lastly, alam niyo minsan… nakita ko si Anne Curtis, ang ganda-ganda pala niya. May desire sa loob ko na, nag-init talaga. Na-imagine ko na lang kung ano’ng pwedeng mangyari. Pero syempre hanggang imagination na lang ‘yon. Hindi naman siguro ako pwedeng kasuhan kung ano ang na-imagine ko eh.”
His remarks were eventually stricken from the official record of the committee hearing.