The House of Representatives has formally reprimanded Quezon City Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay over remarks involving actress Anne Curtis-Smith, which the chamber’s ethics panel found to be inappropriate, offensive, and inconsistent with the standards expected of lawmakers.
Voting 263 in favor, eight against, with seven abstentions, the House adopted the report of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges finding Suntay guilty of disorderly behavior and violations of the House Code of Conduct.
The case stemmed from statements Suntay made during a March 3, 2026 hearing of the House Committee on Justice in connection with the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In its report, the ethics panel said Suntay made inappropriate remarks about Curtis during the hearing and later issued related statements on social media that reflected negatively on the dignity, integrity, and reputation of the House as an institution.
“After deliberation on the cases, the Committee found Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus ‘Bong’ C. Suntay guilty of disorderly behavior for uttering inappropriate or improper statements during the March 3, 2026 hearing of the House Committee on Justice, as well as for related statements made on social media,” the report said.
The report was sponsored by the committee chaired by 4PS Party-list Rep. JC Abalos.
The ethics panel recommended that Suntay be reprimanded under Section 52(b)(2), Rule IX of the committee rules. It also recommended that he render voluntary community service, undergo a gender sensitivity seminar organized by the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality, and issue a public apology to Curtis and to women through a statement to be read before television or broadcast media.
According to the report, Suntay admitted making the remarks and apologized during the committee proceedings to those who were offended.
The committee, however, said the act of striking his remarks from the Justice Committee transcript did not erase their impact.
It stressed that disrespectful and offensive statements with inappropriate sexual undertones have no place in legislative proceedings.
In adopting the report, the House agreed with the committee’s finding that Suntay violated Section 141(a) of the House Code of Conduct, which requires members to act at all times in a manner that reflects creditably on the institution.
The committee said Suntay’s remarks were offensive, sexist, and discriminatory against women, and fell short of the dignity expected of members of Congress.
The report also found him in violation of Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, particularly provisions requiring professionalism, respect for the rights of others, and adherence to good morals and good customs.
The ethics panel said public officials are held to a higher standard of conduct and that congressional proceedings must remain respectful, professional, and free from degrading remarks.