Actress and It’s Showtime host Anne Curtis has spoken out regarding the controversy involving Quezon City Representative Bong Suntay, firmly rejecting what she referred to as his “non-apology” following his contentious remarks about her during a House Committee on Justice hearing.
Marking the first time she directly addressed the issue, Anne released her statement on March 7, 2026 through her social media accounts.
In her post, she explained it took time before she broke her silence because she chose to prioritize what mattered most—getting home safely after being stranded in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
"Hi. It took me a while to speak up," she began.
"I was focused on what mattered most, being reunited with my family, who were stranded in the Middle East and getting home safely.
"I am home now, and now I'm ready to say what needs to be said.
"Not for revenge or drama, but because remaining silent would be wrong... for me, and for every woman watching."
Read: Anne, Erwan, at Dahlia safe na nakabalik sa Pilipinas
Anne’s post came several days after Cong. Suntay’s remark—made on Tuesday, March 3, during a House impeachment proceeding against Vice President Sara Duterte—in which he invoked the actress's name in a manner widely considered as inappropriate, objectifying, and unacceptable.
His statement included recounting an instance where he imagined “what could happen” if he sees Curtis in public.
The controversy quickly ignited national backlash, prompting women’s groups, public officials, and social media users to call out the lawmaker’s conduct especially in an official business setting.
ANNE CURTIS slammed BONG SUNTAY'S REMARKS
Anne called out Cong. Suntay for his "vulgar" remarks and for using her name with utter disrespect.
She said she was initially shocked, hurt, disturbed, and angry upon learning what had been said.
"By now, many of you have heard the remarks made by Mr. Bong Suntay," she wrote.
"A vulgar, sexualized analogy. My name disgustingly used without my consent, in the wrong context, and more importantly, without an ounce of respect.
"My initial reaction was one of shock. I was hurt, disturbed by how perverted it was, and angry. But now my thoughts are clear."
Read: QC congressman, binatikos dahil sa komento kay Anne Curtis
Anne sadly noted that such objectification by men is all too common for women, adding that what made the incident even more troubling was that it came from a public official.
In her words, "What happened to me isn't rare. It happens to women every day... in offices, in group chats, in rooms where men think no one is listening, or worse, in rooms where they know everyone is and simply don't care.
"What made this incident different is that it came from someone holding public office."
ANNE CURTIS TO BONG SUNTAY: I DO NOT ACCEPT YOUR NON-APOLOGY
Anne also addressed Cong. Suntay, telling him that the issue was bigger than his actions and pointed to a deeper, pervasive societal problem.
"Mr. Suntay, I won't spend much time on you. Not because what you did was small, but because this was never really about you," she wrote in her post.
"Since you used me as an example, let me use you as one too. You've become the poster boy of something much bigger: a culture that still thinks it's acceptable to talk about women this way."
She added that this culture becomes even more dangerous when it is normalized by those in power.
"Worse, one that tolerates it from our leaders. As they say, misogyny dressed up as a joke is still misogyny. You hold a seat paid for by taxpayers. Women are taxpayers. I am a taxpayer. We are not props in your commentary."
On March 4, 2026, Cong. Suntay issued an apology to those who were “offended,” including Anne Curtis, saying that if people felt hurt by his remarks, it “was not the intention.”
Read: Bong Suntay apologizes; insists there was no "malice intended"
However, the statement drew widespread criticism for the congressman’s continued defense of his analogy, including from Anne herself, who labeled it a “non-apology.”
Anne told Cong. Suntay, "I do not accept your non-apology. But I also will not carry this as a personal wound."
Anne also made it clear in her post that while she refuses to accept Cong. Suntay’s “non-apology,” she does accept the apology issued by his wife Sheila Guevara-Suntay.
Acknowledging the emotional toll a public scrutiny can place on a family, the Kapamilya actress expressed empathy for Sheila.
She wrote, "I do, however, accept your wife's apology.
"Because as a wife and a mother myself, I know exactly what she must be feeling - that particular kind of embarrassment, that helplessness, that quiet grief of watching someone choose so poorly in public.
"To her, and to your children: this is not your shame. Please know that. And I hope everyone reading this extends them the same grace. They did nothing wrong, and they deserve to be left out of it entirely."
Read: Asawa ni Bong Suntay, nag-apologize kay Anne Curtis
ANNE CURTIS: WOMEN DESERVE BETTER
Anne underlined that what she would carry forward was not personal anger, but the responsibility to speak up on behalf of all women who have been demeaned in similar ways.
Continuing: "Now, what I will carry is the responsibility to say clearly, on behalf of every woman who has ever been spoken about this way:
"We deserve better. Not just now, while this topic is a hot issue, but EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Not just from Mr. Suntay.
"From all of it. From the casual sexism disguised as clever remarks. From public officials who forget who they serve.
"From a culture that still asks women to laugh it off, to not be so sensitive and to pick their battles."
She warned that every unchallenged remark lowers the standard of leadership and sends the wrong message to the next generation.
"Every time a remark like this goes unchallenged, we lower the bar for what leadership looks like.
"Every time a woman is reduced to a cheap remark by someone holding a position of public trust, and nothing happens... we tell the next generation of women exactly where they stand. That is what I refuse to accept."
Anne emphasized that respecting women is a basic expectation of leadership. She also urged the House ethics committee to take action, writing, "Any leader who cannot respect women does not understand leadership at all. Respecting women, after all, is simply basic decency.
"To the ethics committee: I hope you do not let this pass. The integrity of public office depends on the standards it upholds."
She revealed that she will be seeking legal advice and is considering her options moving forward.
"I will be seeking legal advice and will consider all my options looking forward," she said.
Towards the end of her post, Anne also expressed alarm at the volume of misogynistic responses she witnessed in the days following the controversy, noting how clearly they demonstrate why Women’s Month remains crucial.
"I cannot believe how many misogynists have revealed themselves the past couple of days."
Finally, she thanked those who stood up for her and for women everywhere: "To everyone who used their voice to stand up for us and fight for our respect, both men and women,
"THANK YOU. and if anyone is wondering why Women's Month still matters - this is exactly why."
ANNE CURTIS' LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES CONDEMN BONG SUNTAY'S REMARKS
Prior to Anne’s personal statement, her legal counsel had already released a formal declaration criticizing Congressman Suntay’s remarks.
The statement—issued by the law firm Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra on March 6—publicly labeled the congressman’s comments as “inappropriate and unacceptable.”
Here's the full statement: "Ms. Anne Curtis-Smith has built her career and public life on professionalism, integrity, and respect for others.
"Over the years, she has earned the goodwill and trust of the public through her work and through the way she conducts herself both on and off screen.
"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.
"No woman-whether a public figure or a 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.
"Philippine law and public policy have long recognized the importance of promoting respect and dignity for women in all spaces.
"Statutes such as the Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act No. 11313) and the Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act No. 9710) reflect the State's commitment to addressing sexist and degrading remarks and ensuring that women are treated with 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.
"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."
READ MORE: