“My dear brother and sisters in the LGBT community, I want you to know that I am but one voice among many in this August chamber that says it is time: It is the time to pass the Anti-Discrimination Bill on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. And the time is now.”
This was part of the impassioned address that Bataan 1st District Representative Geraldine Roman delivered in Congress last September 19, 2016. At that moment, she urged other lawmakers to pass the Anti-Discrimination Bill or more commonly known as the SOGIE equality bill, which seeks to penalize all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression (SOGIE).
The first version of the SOGIE equality bill was filed in 2000 by the late senator Miriam Defensor Santiago and former Akbayan representative Loretta Rosales. Since then, other similar bills have been filed, yet it has not seen light in Congress for almost two decades.
The main barrier preventing its enactment would have to be the institutional weakness of Congress making it more vulnerable to the influence of those actively opposing it —the faith-based organizations. These include the different Catholic groups, some Catholic schools, and their allies in Congress and Senate such as Sen. Tito Sotto and Sen. Manny Pacquiao, just to name a few.
Still, the LGBTQ+ community echoes the need to be equally protected by the law and their basic human rights. With this, it is imperative to take into consideration the stances and plans of the potential candidates who will serve our country for the next couple of years.
Will these leaders heed the call of the LGBTQ+ community? Will they take specific measures to ensure that this community won’t feel unsafe or outcast in society?
It is best to first take a look at what the presidential candidates have to say about the SOGIE bill.
Manny Pacquiao
Boxing star-turned-senator Manny Pacquiao is known for spurting out biblical verses instead of constitutional provisions and laws during Senate hearings. During his 2016 campaign, his views on the LGBTQ+ community became clear when he described gay people as being “worse than animals” and proceeded to quote a Leviticus passage that condemns gay people to death. In 2017, when the SOGIE Bill was up for debate in the Senate, he used Bible verses again to reinforce his stance against this bill, wherein he raised his concerns on whether or not the bill provided protection so that cross-dressing would not be used to commit crimes.
Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno shows support for the LGBTQ+ community and the SOGIE Bill through the city ordinances he has implemented. Last October 2020, he signed the Manila Anti-Discrimination ordinance which bans discrimination on the basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE). The ordinance assures the creation of a Manila Gender Sensitivity and Development Council to oversee its implementation and the establishment of an LGBTQI desk in every barangay which will receive complaints and document incidents of discrimination. With this, Moreno wishes to give recognition to the valuable contributions of the LGBT community in arts, business, and the government.
Panfilo “Ping” Lacson
The senator and former police chief has not yet made any clear statements regarding his stance on the SOGIE Bill but he has given comments on issues of the LGBTQ+ community. When Lacson was still running for senator last 2016, he opposed the idea of same-sex marriage believing that marriage should only be between “a man and a woman.” Aside from this, when Sen. Risa Hontiveros delivered a speech about the SOGIE Bill last August 2019, Lacson also raised his concerns about allowing transgenders to use gender-specific restrooms. He expressed how there may be a danger if a “straight male person were to enter the ladies room with voyeuristic intentions” or with intentions to harass women. However, there are already existing laws that can prosecute sexual violence and none to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community from acts of discrimination.
Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.
Bongbong Marcos is yet to make any clear stances regarding SOGIE Bill; however, he has already made inconsistent statements regarding his take on same-sex marriage. For instance, last February 2016, he stated that he didn’t have any judgment when it comes to same-sex marriage since it is always the voice of the people who should be followed. Contrary to this, during a vice presidential debate in April 2016, he was not in favor of same-sex marriage.
Leni Robredo
As one of the authors of the SOGIE Bill, Vice President Leni Robredo actively defends and promotes its passage and enactment. When trans woman Gretchen Diez experienced discrimination in a women’s restroom last 2019, Robredo hoped that this incident would serve as an eye-opener for lawmakers to pass the said bill. During an LGBTQ+ event entitled “Pride 2021 Sama-sama Tuloy ang Laban,” Robredo also enjoined the LGBTQ+ community to continue standing by their principles and pushing for change. “Change mindsets, promote acceptance, and push for reforms and progressive legislation tulad ng (like the) SOGIE Equality Bill,” she stated.
Ka Leody de Guzman
Veteran labor leader Leody de Guzman is known for having progressive stances when it comes to the pressing issues of our country. With this, Ka Leody has expressed his support for the passage of the SOGIE Bill ever since he was running for Senate back in 2019.
Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa
Based on the past remarks Bato dela Rosa has made, it can be deduced that he does not fully approve of the SOGIE Equality Bill. For instance, during a Senate hearing in August 2019, he also had the same sentiments as Lacson wherein he was worried about straight men pretending to be transgender and entering bathrooms to harass women. Last 2020, when the Senate committee presented a report on Senate Bill No.1934 or the SOGIE Bill, Sen. dela Rosa was one of the few senators who did not sign the said report.
The conversation on the SOGIE Bill has been ongoing for several years. This just goes to show how discrimination and violent attacks against the LGBTQ+ community are still rampant today. This piece of legislation was not created to step on other people’s freedom of expression or religion; rather, it wants to protect the basic human rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
We can see how the aspiring presidential candidates have varying perspectives on the SOGIE Equality Bill. As voters, we must be critical of these stances because the future president holds a great deal of power when it comes to passing the SOGIE Equality Bill. Aside from this, it is also important to be aware of the senatorial candidates’ stances because ultimately, they are the ones responsible for making the laws and policies that will safeguard our country for the coming years.
In a time of misinformation, we must also take the first step by seeking to educate people on SOGIE whether it may be through online means or by word of mouth. This may take a lot of hard work and patience; however, this can also be a big step to helping other people understand the unfortunate situation that our LGBTQ+ community is constantly being faced with. With this, we can continue pushing for the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill and help create a safe and welcoming environment for every individual, no matter what gender they choose to identify with.
Featured images courtesy of Nikkei Asia and ABS-CBN News
