Broadcast journalist Karmina Constantino reminded women of the importance of respect following a lawmaker’s inappropriate remarks about actress Anne Curtis.
On Wednesday, March 4, Constantino shared a photo of a gardenia, locally known as a “rosal,” on her X (formerly Twitter) account, connecting the image to her message.
“Ang Rosal ay simbolo ng pagmamahal at paghanga. Aking alay sa lahat ng kababaihang minaliit ni Cong. Suntay,” Constantino wrote.
“He spoke of actor Anne Curtis-Smith, but make no mistake about it — he was talking about all women,” she added.
“Kapalit ng pag-init ng kanyang katawan — nararamdaman niya ngayon ang alab ng ating galit. You, we, are supposed to be loved and respected — not objectified,” the journalist said.
2026, Day 63. Ang Rosal ay simbolo ng pagmamahal at paghanga. Aking alay sa lahat ng kababaihang minaliit ni Cong. Suntay. He spoke of actor Anne Curtis-Smith, but make no mistake about it – he was talking about all women. Kapalit ng pag-init ng kanyang katawan – nararamdaman… pic.twitter.com/0gKfN7isOC
— Karmina Constantino-Torres (@ConstantKC) March 4, 2026
Constantino’s post has received 1,400 likes, 346 reposts and six comments from social media users.
The white gardenia flower is said to symbolize pure love and admiration, linked to “affection that is sincere and unspoilt.”
Many online users agreed with the journalist’s message, with one Pinoy reposting it alongside a hundred points emoji.
The issue
Constantino was referring to Rep. Bong Suntay‘s (Quezon City Fourth District) and his remarks to Anne during the House Committee on Justice’s deliberations on Tuesday, March 3. Suntay expressed his desire for the actress and described imagining doing things to her.
His comment drew widespread condemnation from fellow lawmakers and other personalities, including actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith, host Amy Perez and journalist Atom Araullo, among others.
Suntay defended his statement, claiming he was using an “analogy” related to the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte and said he was responding to Duterte’s earlier remarks about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Duterte previously said that she had “imagined” cutting off Marcos’ head. Suntay then added that he had also imagined certain things about Anne after allegedly seeing her in a mall and finding her attractive.
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The Philippine Commission on Women denounced Suntay’s comments, describing them as “sexist” and “a declaration of predatory desire.”
“They reduce a woman to an object of male desire, normalizing a culture of harassment that Filipino women experience every day in streets, workplaces, and public spaces. They are an affront not only to Ms. Anne Curtis, but to every Filipino woman who has been made to feel unsafe by the unbridled language of those in power,” the PCW said.
It added that Suntay should issue an “unqualified public apology” and “undergo gender sensitivity training, gender-fair communication and values formation training.”
The PCW also called on the House Ethics Committee to “take appropriate administrative action” against Suntay in accordance with the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.”
“To Ms. Anne Curtis and to every Filipino woman who heard those words and felt the weight of being reduced to an object — the PCW sees you. Your dignity is not negotiable. Your personhood is not available for public consumption. You deserve better from those who hold public trust,” it said.
Suntay on Wednesday, March 4 said he was “sorry for those who were offended” by his comments, but maintained his analogy, insisting that there was “nothing malicious” about it.
“Depende kung bibigyan ng malice nung nagbasa… Pasensiya na po. To make it appear offensive was not the intention,” the lawmaker added.
Suntay made the remarks as the Philippines observes the National Women’s Month in March, a period dedicated to honoring women’s achievements and promoting women’s empowerment and gender equality.
