SC issues show-cause order vs Bong Suntay, Ferdinand Topacio over sexist remarks vs Anne Curtis
The Supreme Court has issued a show-cause order against Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus "Bong" Suntay and Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, asking them to explain why they should not be disbarred over the misogynistic comments they made against Anne Curtis in March.
According to a report by Pilipino STAR Ngayon, an order showed that Suntay and Topacio were given 10 days from July 8 to submit their explanation in person.
On March 3, Suntay publicly made sexist remarks against Curtis during the House of Representatives Committee on Justice hearing on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Defending Duterte's past statement where she said she "imagined" herself "cutting" off President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s head, Suntay said, "Alam mo, minsan, nasa Shangri-La ako, nakita ko si Anne Curtis, ang ganda-ganda pala niya. You know, may desire sa loob ko na nag-init talaga. Na-imagine ko na lang kung ano ang pwedeng mangyari. Pero siyempre, hanggang imagination na lang 'yon. Hindi naman siguro ako puwedeng kasuhan dahil kung anu-ano 'yong na-imagine ko."
Later, by way of an apology, Suntay said his comment was meant to be an analogy, which Curtis should take as a compliment. Curtis, in a statement, said she did not accept his "non-apology."
Two days later, in his radio program Yes...Yes...Yo! Topacio streamed on DWIZ 882.4, Topacio defended Suntay before taking a similar approach to criticize Curtis' sister, who took to social media to condemn Suntay's remarks, and Gabriela Party-list Representative Sarah Elago.
"Ikaw Jasmine, bakit ka nagpo-post ng mga bikini pictures mo sa social media? Sa mga pahayagan? Hindi ba para ikaw [ay] pagnasahan? Para ikaw ay sumikat?...Bakit sila tintingnan? Magandang babae, sexy. Pagnanasahan ng mga lalaki..." Topacio addressed Jasmine.
He then shared about his desire for Elago.
"Ako dati, pinagnasahan ko rin si Sarah Elago, e. Naamoy ko noong hearing namin sa DOJ," Topacio said.
There were numerous calls for the SC to discipline the two men, who are both members of the Philippine Bar, including from Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh, and members of the UP Women Lawyers' Circle, Inc.
In its resolution promulgated on June 3, but made public only on July 8, the SC wrote, "A lawyer shall not engage in conduct that adversely reflects on one's fitness to practice law, nor behave in a scandalous manner, whether in public or private life, to the discredit of the legal profession. After all, the practice of law is a privilege given only to a few, and it is granted only to those of good moral character."
Additionally, the Court wrote that it is treating the consolidated complaints against Suntay and Topacio as "a formal administrative complaint for disbarment" and has re-docketed, or reclassified, it as a regular disbarment case.
"Representative Suntay and Atty. Topacio are ordered to show cause why they should not be meted the ultimate penalty of disbarment by filing with the Court their respective comments within a non-extendable period of 10 days from receipt of this resolution," the SC wrote.
This is not the only disciplinary action lodged against Suntay. On June 3, the House of Representatives ordered him to complete a gender sensitivity seminar, perform voluntary community service, and give a televised apology to Curtis and all women over his sexist remarks. Further, the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges found Suntay guilty of disorderly behavior for his "improper statements" and was given a disciplinary action of reprimand.
As of writing, neither Suntay nor Topacio have given comments regarding the show-cause order.
