The wife of Representative Jesus “Bong” Suntay issued a public apology to actress and television host Anne Curtis and distanced herself from the controversial remarks made by the lawmaker during a House hearing.
In a statement on Thursday night, March 5, Sheila said she and her children do not condone the analogy used by Suntay, which sparked criticism online and among fellow lawmakers.
“I want to be unequivocally clear: My children and I do not agree with, and we do not condone, the analogy made by Bong,” she said.
She also denied claims circulating on social media that she laughed and approved of the remarks. “The news circulating that I laughed, and therefore approved of what was said, is false, and I will not allow that narrative to stand unchallenged,” she said.
Addressing Curtis and her family directly, Guevara expressed regret over the controversy.
“To Anne Curtis and her family — I am deeply sorry. No woman should ever be spoken about that way, and I understand if words alone feel insufficient. Please know that my heart goes out to you, and I stand with you,” she said.
She emphasized that she strongly believes in respect for women. “Every woman — regardless of who she is, whose wife or daughter she may be, or her background — deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. That is a value I hold deeply and will never compromise on,” she added.
Suntay’s wife also appealed to the public and the media to leave her children out of the controversy.
“I also make this appeal with all sincerity: please leave me and my children out of this. We are not public figures. My children are children,” she said.
“No mother should have to watch her children be targeted and harassed for something they had no part in. I humbly ask the public and media to respect that boundary.”
The controversy sparked from remarks made by Suntay during a hearing of the House Committee on Justice on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.
During the hearing, the Quezon City lawmaker cited Curtis in an analogy about “desire” and imagination.
“Alam niyo minsan, minsan nasa Shangri-La ako, nakita ko si Anne Curtis, ang ganda-ganda pala niya. You know, may desire sa loob ko na, nag-init talaga, na-imagine ko na lang kung ano’ng pwedeng mangyari pero siyempre hanggang imagination na lang ’yon. Pero ‘di naman siguro ako pwedeng kasuhan kung ano ang na-imagine ko eh,” he said.
Suntay later apologized to Curtis and others who were offended, saying he did not intend any malice. (Allysa Nievera)
