Outrage in Philippines over lawmaker’s ‘sexist’ remarks in defence of VP Sara Duterte
Analysts say lawmaker Angel Suntay’s comments have become an ‘effective distraction’ against the vice-president’s impeachment proceedings
The remarks, made during deliberations of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Justice on Tuesday, prompted objections from female lawmakers, calls for his statement to be removed from the record and warnings from officials that such comments could violate laws against gender-based harassment.
Suntay argued that Duterte-Carpio could not be penalised for expressing thoughts alone, comparing it to an imagined scenario involving one of the Philippines’ most prominent celebrities.
“Once I was in Shangri-La, I saw Anne Curtis. She is so beautiful. I felt a desire in me creep up. I felt the heat inside me and I imagined what could happen, but that is only my imagination. I don’t think I can be charged for the things I imagined,” he said.
Several female lawmakers present at the hearing objected immediately and moved to have Suntay’s remarks stricken from the record.
“It is just the start of Women’s Month, and I don’t think we should be hearing such a statement from our colleague,” said San Juan Representative Ysabel Zamora.