The triumph of Anne Curtis 

When the Supreme Court recently issued a show order to Quezon City Fourth District Representative Jesus “Bong” Suntay and Atty. Ferdinand Topacio why they should not be disbarred for their misogynistic remarks against actress Anne Curtis, the battle is half-done, half-won.

By all indications, though, Anne seems almost the winner.

Most of the reactions of people are in her favor.

After Congressman Suntay publicized his lewd if not desirous statements sometime in March on Curtis during a house congressional hearing on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte in which he said that when he saw the actress in a mall, he desired on her but he said it was just an imagination like the VP imagining she was chopping the head of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

Although Anne was out of the country by that time, she didn’t let the statements of the politician pass just like that.

She immediately issued a statement against the misogynistic comments of the lawmaker and threatened to file a complaint against him.

Suntay apologized to the actress and TV host and clarified that there was no malice in it.

Curtis didn’t accept his apology.

Instead, she filed a complaint violating her woman’s rights with the House of Representatives’ Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

In effect, Suntay was sanctioned by the body and was penalized by a formal reprimand, mandatory gender sensitivity training and voluntary community service.

Still, other sectors in the country didn’t take the issue sitting down.

Women’s groups filed an inquiry into the matter and asked the Supreme Court to investigate the incident dragging the broadcast episode of Atty, Ferdinand Topacio over his program “Yes…Yes…Yo Topacio” in DWIZ where he defended Suntay and also pinned down Anne’s sister Jasmine Curtis-Smith about her doing sexy poses on social media and newspapers by saying that those arose the carnal desires of men.

Atty. Topacio even dragged Gabriela Partylist Representative Sarah Elago whom he said he desired (pinagnasaan) when he saw her in a court hearing.

Curtis-Smith’s showbiz colleagues also called out on both Suntay and Topacio in their male chauvinist behavior.

The High Court has given Suntay and Topacio ten days to explain why they should not be disbarred by their actions.

The highest tribunal also reminded the two respondents to observe and maintain good moral character in their law practice. (Boy Villasanta)