Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago led on Thursday morning, March 5 the filing of a formal ethics complaint against Quezon City 4th district Rep. Jesus "Bong" Suntay, who recently became Internet-famous for allegedly "objectifying" showbiz personality Anne Curtis.

Elago pushed through with the filing despite repeated apologies from Suntay on Wednesday, March 4, both in media and on the plenary floor.

Lodging the complaint before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges along with Elago were her fellow women’s rights advocates.

They are Gabriela National Alliance Chairperson Gert Libang, Gabriela Youth Spokesperson Fran Reyes, Koalisyong Makabayan President and former Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza, and Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan (KMK) Spokesperson Jacq Ruiz.

The filing of the complaint will give further basis for the ethics panel, chaired by 4Ps Party-list Rep. JC Abalos, to act on the case against Suntay.

During Wednesday night's plenary session, Deputy Speaker Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin approved a motion instructing the ethics panel to look into Suntay's supposed "sexist" and "misogynistic" remarks toward Curtis in a hearing.

Suntay, who was in attendance in plenary, was told to attend the this future hearing.

"There was no malice intended and if there was malice that was deduced from that statements I wish to apologize doon sa mga natamaan at nasaktan (to those who were affected and hurt)," the lawyer-legislator said before the motion against him was made.

Gabriela had further chastised Suntay for his "non-apology".

"Ang ganitong 'non-apology' ay nagpapakita kung gaano kalalim pa rin ang kultura ng pag-normalize sa pambabastos sa kababaihan (This kind of 'non-apology' shows how deeply ingrained the culture of normalizing disrespect toward women still is)," Elago said.

"Ang mga pahayag na nagtatrato sa mga kababaihan bilang object ng 'imagination' at 'desire' sa public hearing at interview ay may real-life consequences sa mga babaeng nakararanas ng iba’t ibang porma ng pambabastos, diskriminasyon, at abuso sa araw-araw," she noted.

(Statements that treat women as mere objects of ‘imagination’ and ‘desire’ in public hearings and interviews have real-life consequences for women who experience various forms of harassment, discrimination, and abuse every day.)

"Hindi dapat nagiging normal ang ganito lalo pa sa Kongreso at public office kung saan nakakaapekto ang mismong mga salita, pahayag, at aksyon ng mga public officials sa mga patakaran, sa kultura, at pang-araw-araw na buhay ng mga kababaihan at lahat ng ordinaryong mamamayan," Elago stressed.

(This should never be normalized especially in Congress and public office, where the very words, statements, and actions of public officials directly shape policies, culture, and the daily lives of women and ordinary citizens.)

Maza, a former House member, said Suntay violated the Magna Carta of Woman, Safe Spaces Act, and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Government Officials and Employees, among others.

As to the possible punishment against the Quezon City solon, Maza offered some ideas.

“Pwede siyang suspendihin ng ilang linggo. Pwede rin na magmulta siya at ibigay sa mga organisasyon ng mga kababaihan. At pwede rin siyang mag-community service, yung ginagawa ng babae siguro sa bahay,” she said.

(He could be suspended for a few weeks. He could also be fined, with the money given to women’s organizations. And he could do community service, perhaps the kind of work women usually do at home.)

“Mahirap ang ginagawa ng mga kababaihan sa kanilang mga bahay--Pagpapakain ng anak, pag-aalaga ng asawa, dapat gawin niya. Maramdaman niya kung gaano kahirap ang ginagawa ng mga kababaihan na dapat irespeto lalo na ng isang mambabatas,” Maza pointed out.

(The work women do in their households is difficult--feeding children, caring for their husbands. He should do it, so he can feel how hard it is, and realize that the work of women deserves respect, especially from a legislator.)