ConversationsUndermining Women: When Respect Gets Lost in the System
Recent reports continue to expose powerful men behaving in outrageous ways. What is truly shocking is the sheer number of respected figures who have perpetrated decades of abuse and sexual violence against women and girls. Worse still, the entitlement fueling these acts is often overlooked or minimized to the point that such behavior becomes disturbingly normalized.
Quezon City Rep. Bong Suntay’s recent inappropriate remarks about actress Anne Curtis are yet another example of how women are often not seen as people. During a House committee on justice hearing, he argued that Vice President Sara Duterte’s threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cannot be made an impeachable offense. To illustrate his argument, Suntay then drew an “analogy” involving his own sexual fantasies toward the actress upon seeing her in person, insisting that since such thoughts exist only in his imagination, he cannot be charged for them. Following this, while some celebrities, netizens, and politicians condemned Suntay’s behavior, others came to his defense. For example, controversial lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, who once proclaimed his admiration for fascist dictator Adolf Hitler, defended the congressman during his radio program. In defense of Suntay’s backlash, Topacio lashed out at Jasmine Curtis and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago for defending Anne Curtis, blaming the women for “enticing” with the way they dress online. Topacio rationalized his remarks with the notion that men are “wired” to have sexual desires, while confessing his desire to Elago.
Here’s the thing: one of the biggest problems with many lawmakers is their lack of understanding of the very laws they are meant to uphold. Too often, they make questionable statements with absolute confidence, while those around them laugh it off as if it’s just another ordinary day. We see them commit heinous acts and walk away with little more than a slap on the wrist. If a so-called ‘honorable’ congressman believes such remarks are acceptable in the halls of Congress, one can only imagine the private conversations that occur when women are not present. It is deeply troubling that we are expected to address these officials as ‘honorable,’ a title that should be reserved for those who act with genuine integrity and respect, not for those who behave disrespectfully, dishonestly, or abusively.
Both Bong Suntay’s and Ferdinand Topacio’s statements should not be mistaken as ‘compliments’ or harmless admiration. Rather, they reinforce evidence of gender-based sexual harassment as defined under RA No. 11313, also known as the Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law), or RA No. 9710, also known as the Magna Carta of Women, or RA No. 6713, otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Public figures who do not hold themselves accountable exemplify how those in positions of power often embody authoritarian politics that fuel the current rise of fascism. While it is true that society has made significant progress in fighting for women’s rights and welfare, there is still a need to deconstruct the systemic levels of misogyny that exclude women, label them as inferior, silence their voices, and even persuade them to defend the very system that oppresses them.
Their statements are violations not just against Anne Curtis but against all women who have felt threatened or unsafe by the reckless language of those in power. As we celebrate National Women’s Month, let us remember that a woman’s dignity is not defined by men’s desires or by callous remarks. It is a fundamental human right that must never be trampled upon, especially by lawmakers entrusted with upholding justice.