Rep. Suntay Says Sorry (Sort Of) After Anne Curtis Remark Sparks Women's Month Outrage
Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus Manuel Suntay is in hot water after making remarks about actress Anne Curtis during a House Committee on Justice hearing — remarks so controversial that the committee voted to strike them from the official record. Now, right in the middle of Women's Month, the lawmaker is trying to do damage control.
In a DZMM interview on Wednesday, Suntay offered a qualified apology: 'For those who found the statement offensive, I apologize to them. But that was not the intention. My intention was to drive a point.' He described his remarks as involving an 'imaginary situation' and a 'fictitious scenario,' adding that he's never even met Anne Curtis in person — only seen her on TV.
But the public isn't buying the non-apology. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, women's group Gabriela, and several celebrities have rallied behind Curtis, demanding a full public apology. The remarks were made during deliberations on the Sara Duterte impeachment, making the context even more politically charged.
Anne Curtis herself has yet to issue a statement, but the online backlash has been swift and merciless. Social media users pointed out the irony of a male lawmaker making inappropriate remarks about a woman during the very month dedicated to celebrating women's achievements and rights.
Whether Suntay's half-hearted apology will be enough to quiet the storm remains doubtful. In the age of social media accountability, a 'sorry if you were offended' just doesn't cut it anymore — especially not during Women's Month.
Source: The Manila Times
