Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte called on 4th District Representative Bong Suntay to issue a public apology following the controversial remarks he made about Anne Curtis during a recent House committee hearing.
Photo: Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Rep. Bong Suntay/Facebook
“I urge Congressman Bong Suntay to apologize for the inappropriate remarks that he made at a recent House committee hearing,” Belmonte said in an official statement posted on Facebook.
The Quezon City mayor stated that Suntay’s remarks about Curtis “contradict” the spirit of empowerment they have worked hard to build in the 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,” she said. “In this context, it is truly disappointing to witness Congressman Suntay’s casual display of objectification, on Women’s Month no less.”
In the statement, the Quezon City mayor shared that Suntay was part of the body that passed the city’s Gender and Development Code. He was also a majority leader during the time that they passed the Bawal Bastos Ordinance, which expands protection against sexual harassment in public spaces.
The mayor declared that she is standing up for women’s rights and called for full accountability over the controversial remarks made by the congressman.
“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,” she wrote.
“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,” she concluded her statement.
During the proceedings on the pending impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, the congressman openly expressed his personal “desire” for actress Anne Curtis.
Following this controversial remark, the House Committee on Justice has struck his comments off the record from the hearing.
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