Content Warning: The following article contains a discussion on sexual harassment.
Sheila Guevara, the wife of Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay, has apologized to actress and TV host Anne Curtis following the controversial remarks of her politician husband during a recent House hearing.
The issue stemmed from statements made by Rep. Suntay during the March 3 House justice committee hearing on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, where he used the actress in a sexually suggestive analogy to explain a legal point.
During the hearing, the lawmaker shared that he had once imagined a scenario involving the actress after seeing her in public.
“Lastly, alam mo naman minsan nasa Shangri-la ako. Nakita ko si Anne Curtis–– ang ganda ganda pala niya. You know, may desire so loob ko na nag init talaga at naimagine ko nalang kung anong pwedeng mangyari pero siyempre hanggang imagination nalang yun. Pero, di naman siguro ako kasuhan dahil kung ano-ano yung naimagine ko eh. Thank you very much, Madam Chair,” Rep. Suntay previously shared.
READ: Jasmine Curtis-Smith to QC Rep. Bong Suntay: ‘What a disgusting man’
Following this, Sheila took to her Instagram on March 5, addressing the controversy and clarifying her stance.
In her post, Sheila stressed that she and their children do not agree with the analogy used by their patriarch.
“I want to be unequivocally clear: My children & I do not agree with, and we do not condone, the analogy made by Bong.”
She also denied circulating claims that she had laughed at her husband’s statement, adding: “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.”
Sheila then directed a message to Anne and her family, expressing her regret over the incident.
“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 emphasized that all women deserve respect regardless of their status or background.
“Every woman – regardless of who she is, whose wife or daughter she may be, or whatever her background – deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. That is a value | hold deeply and will never compromise on.”
Rep. Suntay’s remark quickly drew criticism online. Anne’s colleagues in the entertainment industry and several Women’s rights groups have also condemned the politician’s statements. Following this, Sheila appealed to the public to spare their children from 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. 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 the media to respect that boundary. Thank you 🙏,” she concluded.
Earlier, in an interview with veteran broadcast journalist Karen Davila on ANC 24/7, Rep. Suntay shared how his family reacted to the controversy, saying that his wife questioned why he made the remark. He added that his daughters had also called him, expressing concern amid the backlash.
The lawmaker later accepted responsibility for his comments, saying he deserved the criticism that followed.
According to Rep. Suntay, the remark was meant as a fictional analogy to illustrate his argument that imagination alone should not create legal liability. However, he admitted that mentioning the actress by name and describing a supposed encounter at a mall was a mistake, adding that he has never met Anne.
Following the incident, several celebrities voiced their support for the actress and condemned the remarks, particularly as they surfaced during Women’s Month.
Among those who spoke out were Anne’s sister Jasmine Curtis-Smith, her It’s Showtime co-host Amy Perez, and actresses Angel Locsin, Nadine Lustre, and Gabbi Garcia, among others, who expressed solidarity with Anne and reiterated the call for respect toward women.