THE House of Representatives (HOR) ethics committee found Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus “Bong” Suntay guilty in connection with the controversial remarks he made actress Anne Curtis. The House voted 263 in favor, eight against and seven abstentions.

The committee penalized Suntay with a disciplinary action of reprimand after the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges found him guilty of disorderly behavior due to “improper statements” on Curtis during a House justice committee hearing.

Suntay will thus be made to render voluntary community service, undergo a gender sensitivity seminar under the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality, and also issue a public, televisefd apology to actress Anne Curtis and all women.

“Wherefore, the Committee recommends that Rep. Suntay be penalized with a disciplinary action of reprimand under Section 52(b)(2), Rule IX of the Committee Rules, render voluntary community service, undergo gender sensitivity seminar organized by the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality, and issue a public apology to Ms. Anne Curtis-Smith and all women in a statement to be read before a television or broadcast media,” the Committee Report stated.

House committee chairperson Representative JC Abalos said that “on the first appearance of the respondent before the committee on March 10, respondent admitted lapses of judgment and on March 18, he made an unequivocal admission of his knowledge of the nature and consequences of his statements.”

He added: “Such admission of the respondent and his willingness to accept the disciplinary action of reprimand, undergo a voluntary community service, and attend gender sensitivity seminar organized by the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality were considered by the committee as akin to a plea-bargaining agreement and thus constitute substantial evidence to support a committee determination.”

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