Actress and television host Anne Curtis has finally broken her silence after controversial remarks made by Bong Suntay, the representative of Quezon City’s 4th District. Her response, shared on social media, quickly gained attention online and ignited a larger discussion about respect for women, accountability, and the importance of speaking up.
Curtis, a longtime host of the popular noontime program It’s Showtime, addressed the issue directly in a statement posted during Women’s Month. Instead of focusing solely on the controversy, the actress emphasized the broader message behind her decision to speak.
“Women’s Month isn’t just a celebration… it’s a reminder of how far we still have to go,” Curtis wrote. Her words reflected not only personal disappointment but also a call for greater respect toward women in public and private spaces.
The controversy began when Suntay made remarks about Curtis during a House committee deliberation connected to impeachment complaints involving Sara Duterte. The comments quickly circulated online, drawing criticism from women’s rights groups and members of the public who described the statements as inappropriate and disrespectful.
Although Suntay later issued an apology, he framed it by saying he was sorry “if some people were offended,” a phrasing that many critics felt fell short of genuine accountability. Curtis made it clear in her statement that she does not accept what many have described as a “non-apology.”
“Mr. Suntay, I won’t spend much time on you,” Curtis wrote. “Not because what you did was small, but because this was never really about you.”
Instead, she used the moment to highlight a deeper issue—how women are spoken about and treated in society. According to Curtis, remaining silent would send the wrong message to women watching the situation unfold.
“I decided to speak not for revenge or drama,” she explained, “but because staying silent would be wrong—for the women who are watching and for the future generation of women.”
Despite rejecting Suntay’s statement, Curtis acknowledged and accepted the apology issued by the congressman’s wife. She said she empathized with her, noting that as a mother and a wife, she understands the difficult position she must be in.
Meanwhile, the controversy has also taken a legal turn. Nine women, including members of the World March of Women, filed a complaint-affidavit against Suntay before the Office of the Ombudsman.
The complaint accuses the lawmaker of violating several Philippine laws, including the Safe Spaces Act, the Magna Carta of Women, and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Complainants also argued that Suntay, who is a lawyer, may have violated the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, the ethical framework that governs Filipino legal professionals.
As the issue continues to unfold, Curtis’s statement has resonated with many who believe the conversation goes beyond one incident. Her message was clear: women deserve respect not just when controversies arise, but every single day.