Anne Curtis has released her statement in response to the controversial remarks made by Quezon City fourth district Representative Bong Suntay . The It's Showtime host posted a series of Instagram photos on her social media accounts addressing Suntay's remarks. Anne said it took her a while to speak up as she was focused on reuniting and getting home safely with her family, who were stranded in the Middle East. Now that she's home, Anne said she is “ready to say what needs to be said.” “Not for revenge or drama, but because remaining silent would be wrong... for me, and for every woman watching,” she explained. Anne said, “By now, many of you have heard the remarks made by Mr. Bong Suntay. A vulgar, sexualized analogy. My name disgustingly used without my consent, in the wrong context, and more importantly, without an ounce of respect.” Anne said her initial reaction was shock, “I was hurt, disturbed by how perverted it was, and angry. But now my thoughts are clear.” Anne acknowledged that what happened to her wasn't rare. “It happens to women every day... in offices, in group chats, in rooms where men think no one is listening, or worse, in rooms where they know everyone is and simply don't care. What made this incident different is that it came from someone holding public office,” she said. In the next photos she shared, Anne addressed Suntay. “Mr. Suntay, I won't spend much time on you. Not because what you did was small, but because this was never really about you. Since you used me as an example, let me use you as one too,” she said. Anne continued, “You've become the poster boy of something much bigger: a culture that still thinks it's acceptable to talk about women this way. Worse, one that tolerates it from our leaders. As they say, misogyny dressed up as a joke is still misogyny. “You hold a seat paid for by taxpayers. Women are taxpayers. I am a taxpayer. We are not props in your commentary.” Anne told Suntay that she does not accept his “non-apology.” “I do not accept your non-apology. But I also will not carry this as a personal wound,” she reiterated. In the next part of her statement, Anne said she does, however, accepts Suntay's wife's, Shiela Guevara-Suntay's, apology. “I do, however, accept your wife's apology. Because as a wife and a mother myself, I know exactly what she must be feeling - that particular kind of embarrassment, that helplessness, that quiet grief of watching someone choose so poorly in public,” she said. Anne added, “To her, and to your children: this is not your shame. Please know that. And I hope everyone reading this extends them the same grace. They did nothing wrong, and they deserve to be left out of it entirely.” Related gallery: Anne Curtis proves fashion is a tool for women empowerment Anne also highlighted how every woman deserves better. “Now, what I will carry is the responsibility to say clearly, on behalf of every woman who has ever been spoken about this way: We deserve better. Not just now, while this topic is a hot issue, but EVERY. SINGLE. DAY,” she said. Anne continued, “Not just from Mr. Suntay. From all of it. From the casual sexism disguised as clever remarks. From public officials who forget who they serve. From a culture that still asks women to laugh it off, to not be so sensitive and to pick their battles.” “Every time a remark like this goes unchallenged, we lower the bar for what leadership looks like. “Every time a woman is reduced to a cheap remark by someone holding a position of public trust, and nothing happens... we tell the next generation of women exactly where they stand. That is what I refuse to accept,” she said. In the latter part of her statement, Anne sharply pointed out, “Any leader who cannot respect women does not understand leadership at all. Respecting women, after all, is simply basic decency.” Anne also has a message to the ethics committee, saying she hopes they will not let the incident pass. “The integrity of public office depends on the standards it upholds. I will be seeking legal advice and will consider all my options looking forward,” she said. Anne concluded her statement with a 'thank you' to everyone who stood up and fought for respect. “To everyone who used their voice to stand up for us and fight for our respect, both men and women, THANK YOU. [A]nd if anyone is wondering why Women's Month still matters - this is exactly why,” she said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anne Curtis (@annecurtissmith) In a House hearing on March 3, Suntay said, “Lastly, alam mo naman minsan nasa Shangri-la ako. Nakita ko si Anne Curtis—ang ganda-ganda pala niya. You know, may desire so loob ko na nag-init talaga at na-imagine ko na lang kung anong puwedeng mangyari, pero siyempre hanggang imagination na lang 'yun. Pero, 'di naman siguro ako kasuhan dahil kung ano-ano 'yung na-imagine ko eh. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.” RELATED GALLERY: Celebrities react to Rep. Bong Suntay's remarks on Anne Curtis