An Insult, Not a Compliment

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To what extent do we try to convince ourselves and justify one of our leaders' wrongdoings? Imagine this—how insulting it must be for women to be openly objectified in a court of justice. Women are not objects, and should not be subjected to anyone's fantasies. Like men, they are human beings who deserve basic human decency.

If one of the House Representatives can openly admit to objectifying one of the top actresses in the industry, like Anne Curtis, then we give the citizens who have the same mindset as him the platform to treat women like objects.

During a House Committee hearing regarding the impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte on March 3, 2026, House Rep. Bong Suntay attempted to defend the Vice President’s previous statements by comparing his own thoughts to hers. He recounted his own thoughts, stating that Anne Curtis was really beautiful, that a desire inside him "welled up," and after seeing her, he felt the "heat" and imagined what could only happen. Rep. Bong Suntay then justified the analogy, so he cannot be charged for something he has not done.

Although women’s rights have progressed over the years, the Philippines remains one of the most conservative countries in the world, whereas a large part of its population believes that women should limit their role in society. According to a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted last November, more than 50% of respondents, on average, still believe that women are better off taking care of their families instead of being the breadwinners of the family. 83% of 1,200 people who were 18 years old and above still believe in the traditional roles of a man who is the provider and a woman should be relegated to being the caretaker.

Moreover, sexism should have no place in leadership. Women did not suffer for centuries for men to reduce them to just an imagination, where they are only a sexual thought. It sets a precedent that if we cannot deliver justice to a man who is so drunk on his own authority, thinking that he can get away with saying an insolent speech. As we celebrate National Women's Month, I must emphasize that such remarks should have no place in this country.  It is truly a disappointment that a man of his status keeps defending his own repulsive remarks, and that alone should be enough to put into question his code of conduct.

The allegations for Quezon City 4th District Rep. Bong Suntay's ethics should be questioned and probed into for his inappropriate remarks towards Anne Curtis-Smith. It is not only disrespectful to her, but to all women. A country should progress, not remain stagnant in its beliefs and values. We, the Filipino people, should leave behind the traditional segregation of the roles of women if we are to progress as a society. A woman can work and provide twice as hard as a man, yet we do not give the same praise to them.

Furthermore, this is not just about the actress herself. It is about the standard that we set for our public servants. If a lawmaker feels more than comfortable enough to state his own perverse thoughts in a committee hearing, it signals to every woman in this country that a man can freely speak his mind and it will always be prioritized over a woman’s dignity. It is time to stop blaming women for men having a misogynistic attitude and start changing the very core values that keep the cycle continuing.

Words do matter. Objectification of women is an insult, not a compliment. For someone like Rep. Bong Suntay, his remarks may not be malicious to him, but to others—especially women—they do. It affects women in ways that men cannot even begin to understand. How can women expect to be safe if misogyny is still so rampant and is deeply rooted in our culture? When are we going to stop blaming women for being sexually harassed just for their clothing and start making men who have the same mindset as him take accountability for their words and actions? Unaware of their inability to think beyond the traditional values that the Philippines has built for itself. Again, women are not sexual objects for our gratification needs and pleasures. They are human beings who deserve the same respect and decency you give to others. [F]

via Joev Ej Reyes, Staff Writer