Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday, March 4, denounced the controversial remark made by Rep. Jesus Manuel “Bong” Suntay about actress Anne Curtis, saying there’s no excuse for the lawmaker not to make a public apology.

“Rep. Bong Suntay must apologize and make the necessary amends to Ms. Anne Curtis. There is absolutely no excuse for his repulsive remarks,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“Ang mas nakakabahala, patuloy pa niyang iginigiit na walang mali sa kanyang sinabi. (What's more worrying is that he continues to insist that there is nothing wrong with what he said). The Representative must be reminded that under the Bawal Bastos Law, which I authored, gender-based harassment is punishable,” the senator reiterated.

She said statements of sexual comments and suggestions can be penalized, and “as a lawmaker, he should know this.”

“More importantly, he is duty-bound to uphold it,” Hontiveros stressed.

As the nation celebrates Women’s Month, the senator said the incident is a reminder that advancing women’s dignity and basic respect is continuous work.

“A work that must be asserted, defended, and reaffirmed, again and again,” she said.

“Huwag nating hayaang maging normal ang kabastusan. Patuloy tayong manindigan para sa kababaihan (Let's not let rudeness become normal. Let's continue to stand up for women),” the lawmaker emphasized.