MALACANANG on Wednesday slammed the remarks of a lawmaker about fantasizing and boasting over a woman, saying it could constitute a violation of the Safe Spaces Act and stressing that objectifying women should not be normalized or treated as a compliment.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro made the remarks during a press briefing when asked about comments attributed to Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus Manuel “Bong” Suntay which drew harsh criticisms from women’s groups.
Meanwhile, Suntay apologized for his lewd remarks about actress Anne Curtis during the House impeachment proceedings last Tuesday.
For her part, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said Suntay should publicly apologize for “inappropriate” remarks he made about actress and television host Anne Curtis during the House deliberations on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte
“Imagining or fantasizing about a woman, if it is only in one’s mind, cannot be considered a crime because it is not revealed; it stays in the heart, in the mind of a man,” Castro explained.
“But when he blurts it out and boasts in public about his fantasy of a woman, this is definitely a sexual innuendo. This cannot be said to be without a crime. The mere fact that he said it in public, directed at a particular person, it is already covered by the Safe Spaces Act,” she added.
Castro said it cannot be argued that no offense was committed once such fantasies are publicly declared and even flaunted.
When asked whether she was personally offended, Castro said she was offended on behalf of all women.
She questioned whether the act would be viewed differently if done by an ordinary man on the street rather than someone holding public office.
“Is there a difference if an ordinary person does it or if the person is supposed to be honorable?” Castro pointed out.
The Palace official declined to comment if an apology from Suntay would suffice, adding it might be better to ask Suntay himself about it.
Castro also called for an end to what she described as a culture of objectifying women.
“Women should not be made the subject of lewd remarks. Let us end the culture of objectifying women,” she stressed.
“Women are to be guided, uplifted, and respected, and not made the subject of lewd fantasies and bragged about in public,” she said.
She emphasized that women should not be made to feel grateful for being the subject of sexual remarks.
Suntay claimed however, that he had no malice and did not intend to offend women, specifically Curtis.
“While there may be some who found the analogy in bad taste, to those who were offended, I repeat: there was no malice in my intent behind that statement,” Suntay told reporters.
“We do not wish to hurt anyone with our analogy. But if anyone was hurt, we sincerely apologize. To Ms. Anne Curtis as well, if she was offended by what was said, I repeat, there was no malice intended, and I ask for her forgiveness,” Suntay said.
He admitted though that he really believed Curtis was “very beautiful.”
Suntay narrated that he once saw Curtis in a mall, and he was stunned by her beauty, adding that he felt “hot inside” and that was all there was to it.
“But maybe, I cannot be sued for what I imagined,” he added.
“I urge Congressman Bong Suntay to apologize for the inappropriate remarks he made at a recent House committee hearing. His words directly contradict the spirit of empowerment we have worked hard to build in Quezon City,” Belmonte said in a statement.
The mayor noted that the city has long championed women’s rights through policies that promote safe spaces and equal opportunities.
“It is disappointing to see such objectification, especially during Women’s Month,” she said, adding that Suntay, as a former city councilor, helped pass the city’s Gender and Development Code.
She also pointed out that Suntay was majority floor leader when the council approved the Bawal Bastos Ordinance in 2016, which penalizes lewd, malicious and demeaning remarks—years before the national Safe Spaces Act was enacted.
“Our policies reflect the values we uphold and the behavior we refuse to tolerate. We expect our elected officials to lead by example,” Belmonte said.
“We must not hesitate to push back against acts that undermine the dignity of women.”
Belmonte urged Suntay to “take full accountability, issue a proper apology, and conduct himself with the dignity his office demands.”
Curtis has yet to react personally about the remarks, but her sister Jasmine Curtis-Smith has called out Suntay, expressing anger and disappointment toward the lawmaker.
