The law firm Gorriceta Africa Cauton and Saavedra, legal counsel of TV host and actress Anne Curtis, has denounced Quezon City 4th District Representative Bong Suntay for his recent remarks about the actress, calling them “inappropriate and unacceptable.”
In a statement posted on the firm’s Facebook page Friday, Curtis’ lawyers criticized Suntay for making lewd and objectifying comments during a congressional committee hearing.
“Recent remarks made during a congressional committee hearing, in which Ms. Curtis-Smith’s name was mentioned in a lewd and objectifying manner, are clearly inappropriate and unacceptable,” the statement read.
The counsel stressed that no woman—whether a public figure or private citizen—should be publicly spoken about in a way that reduces her to the subject of sexual commentary.
“Statements of this nature are degrading and have no place in any forum, much less in proceedings of Congress where public officials are expected to uphold the dignity of others and maintain respectful public discourse,” the statement added.
The firm cited the Safe Spaces Act and the Magna Carta of Women as legal frameworks affirming the state’s commitment to protecting women’s dignity.
“It is therefore especially unfortunate that these remarks surfaced during National Women’s Month, a time when the nation is called upon to reaffirm its commitment to gender equality and the dignity of women,” the statement said.
“Let this moment serve as a reminder that women deserve respect everywhere. Language that demeans or objectifies women has no place in public discourse, particularly in spaces where words carry the weight of public trust.”
Suntay made the controversial remarks Tuesday during House proceedings on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, using Curtis as an analogy to defend Duterte’s past statement.
His comments were criticized by members of the House Committee on Justice, struck from the record, and followed by a public apology.