(UPDATE) ACTRESS and TV host Anne Curtis on Saturday rejected the apology issued by Quezon City 4th District Rep. Bong Suntay, who said during a congressional hearing that he imagined he saw her at a hotel and wondered, his heart full of desire, what might happen. Curtis broke her silence through a lengthy social media post days after Suntay referenced her in a "sexualized analogy" during a March 3 House Committee on Justice hearing. “Hi. It took me a while to speak up. I was focused on what mattered most, being reunited with my family, who were stranded in the Middle East and getting home safely,” Curtis began. “I am home now, and now I'm 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 said. The actress said she was shocked when she learned that her name had been used during the hearing. “A vulgar, sexualized analogy. My name disgustingly used without my consent, in the wrong context, and more importantly, without an ounce of respect. My initial reaction was one of shock. I was hurt, disturbed by how perverted it was, and angry," she said. The controversy erupted after Suntay referenced Curtis while discussing impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte. In defending Duterte’s earlier statements, the lawmaker argued that “imagination” or thoughts cannot be criminalized and used a hypothetical scenario involving the actress to illustrate his point. The remarks were stricken from the record, and quickly drew backlash online and from public figures, particularly as they came at the start of Women’s Month. In her statement, Curtis said the issue extends far beyond the single incident. “What happened to me isn'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," she said. She added that what made the situation especially troubling was that the remark came from a public official. However, she said she would not focus on the lawmaker himself but on the culture that allows such comments to persist. “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. 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," she said. “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," she added. Curtis said she does not accept the apology issued by Suntay following the backlash. “I do not accept your non-apology. But I also will not carry this as a personal wound," she said. However, she said she accepted the apology from the lawmaker’s wife, expressing empathy as a spouse and mother. “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," Curtis said. “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," she continued. Curtis said the incident underscores the broader issue of sexism that women continue to face in everyday life. She also urged the House Ethics Committee to address the matter. “To the ethics committee: I hope you do not let this pass. The integrity of public office depends on the standards it upholds," Curtis said. She added that she is now exploring possible legal action. “I will be seeking legal advice and will consider all my options looking forward," Curtis said. Curtis thanked supporters who spoke out in defense of women following the incident. “To everyone who used their voice to stand up for us and fight for our respect, both men and women, thank you. And if anyone is wondering why Women's Month still matters — this is exactly why," Curtis said.