Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas has “strongly condemned” Congressman Jesus “Bong” Suntay’s lewd remarks during the March 3 hearing of the House Justice Committee.
In a statement, Treñas said the remarks about actress Anne Curtis are “unacceptable,” “uncalled for,” and have no place in public discourse, most especially coming from a member of Congress.”
“When a public official speaks, their words carry weight. Casual objectification, whether disguised as imagination or humor, demeans women and erodes the very culture of respect and equality that we are working so hard to build,” the mayor added.
Treñas called on Suntay to “respect women at all times” and urged the lawmaker to “issue a sincere and unequivocal apology and to reflect deeply on the responsibility that comes with holding public office.”
In a separate statement, Vice Mayor Julie Grace “Love-love” Baronda said women should be respected not only during Women’s Month but at all times.
“As as a leader and as a woman, we also have to gently but firmly remind our fellow public servants that statements which make women objects of desire or imagination should not be normalized,” she added.
“Madamo nga kababainhan ang naga-akto as leaders and professionals. We are also equal partners in nation-building,” the vice mayor stressed.
Meanwhile, Suntay apologized to Curtis and those offended by his remarks but stood by the analogy he made to justify Duterte’s threats to President Bongbong Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“While may mga tao siguro that found the analogy in bad taste, doon sa mga na-offend, tayo’y, inuulit ko, walang malice doon sa ninais nating gawin doon sa statement na iyon. Ayaw natin makasakit through that analogy. But kung may nasaktan, humihingi tayo ng dispensa,” he said. IMT
