Transgender solon says Dela Rosa restroom ‘manyak’ scenario is ‘highly improbable’
Published Aug 17, 2019 17:04 pm
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Updated Aug 17, 2019 17:04 pm
By Jan Carlo Anolin
Transgender lawmaker Bataan 1st district Rep. Geraldine Roman doesn’t seem to agree with Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s claim that a male sexual predator could target women’s restrooms while under the guise of a transgender or a member of the third sex.
Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman (FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN)
“I'm not saying it's impossible but it's highly improbable. Tama papakinggan natin (We have to listen to it),” Roman said in an interview Friday on CNN Philippines’ The Source.
“But honestly, kung ikaw ay isang (If you are a) sexual predator, don't you think that ladies comfort room would be the last place you should go to? You know you run the risk of being lynched. Baka maraming takong ang bumaon sa bunbunan mo pag nag-sexually molest ka sa isang banyo,” Roman added.
(A lot of heels may sink into your head if you sexually molest someone in the comfort room.)
Last week, transgender woman Gretchen Diez ended up getting arrested after she insisted on using the women’s restroom at Farmer’s Plaza in Cubao, Quezon City.
READ MORE: Transgender barred from using ladies’ toilet to sue mall
Several lawmakers were up in arms, including Roman and Senator Risa Hontiveros, who subsequently called for the immediate passage of the sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE) Equality bill.
Reacting to the Diez incident, Dela Rosa said: “Paano yung mga lalaki na manyak? Mga manyak papasok doon sa CR (comfort room). Magsuot siya ng...magpabakla-bakla siya, magsuot siya ng pambabae, mag-ayos bakla. Papasok doon sa loob ng CR ng babae tapos gagawa doon ng kalokohan doon sa loob,” Dela Rosa said Thursday.
(How about straight men who are actually sexual predators? These sexual predators will enter the CR. What if these men, cross-dressed or disguised as gay or a woman, enter a ladies room, and then they perform shenanigans once inside?)
READ MORE: SOGIE bill faces rough sailing in Senate
At any rate, Roman said Dela Rosa has a point and agreed that they have to listen to all parties concerned in order to craft a well-designed piece of legislation.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also raised concern regarding the “sensitivities” of straight men and women in using comfort rooms.
"I am all for respecting rights. But how about the sensitivities of women who are uncomfortable with transgenders using women's restrooms; or straight men donning women's clothes," he told reporters in a separate text message.
"Restrooms are biology-based. Lesbians cannot stand in a male only urinals. Konting reality check naman (Some reality check first, please)," he added.
Roman, however, said she is happy with the current provisions of the bill but is also open for amendments.
“Of course we have to listen to all parties concerned. We're very open-minded really. This is how we come up with a bill that is respectful to all parties concerned,” Roman said. (with reports from Vanne Elaine Terrazola)
Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman (FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN)
“I'm not saying it's impossible but it's highly improbable. Tama papakinggan natin (We have to listen to it),” Roman said in an interview Friday on CNN Philippines’ The Source.
“But honestly, kung ikaw ay isang (If you are a) sexual predator, don't you think that ladies comfort room would be the last place you should go to? You know you run the risk of being lynched. Baka maraming takong ang bumaon sa bunbunan mo pag nag-sexually molest ka sa isang banyo,” Roman added.
(A lot of heels may sink into your head if you sexually molest someone in the comfort room.)
Last week, transgender woman Gretchen Diez ended up getting arrested after she insisted on using the women’s restroom at Farmer’s Plaza in Cubao, Quezon City.
READ MORE: Transgender barred from using ladies’ toilet to sue mall
Several lawmakers were up in arms, including Roman and Senator Risa Hontiveros, who subsequently called for the immediate passage of the sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE) Equality bill.
Reacting to the Diez incident, Dela Rosa said: “Paano yung mga lalaki na manyak? Mga manyak papasok doon sa CR (comfort room). Magsuot siya ng...magpabakla-bakla siya, magsuot siya ng pambabae, mag-ayos bakla. Papasok doon sa loob ng CR ng babae tapos gagawa doon ng kalokohan doon sa loob,” Dela Rosa said Thursday.
(How about straight men who are actually sexual predators? These sexual predators will enter the CR. What if these men, cross-dressed or disguised as gay or a woman, enter a ladies room, and then they perform shenanigans once inside?)
READ MORE: SOGIE bill faces rough sailing in Senate
At any rate, Roman said Dela Rosa has a point and agreed that they have to listen to all parties concerned in order to craft a well-designed piece of legislation.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III also raised concern regarding the “sensitivities” of straight men and women in using comfort rooms.
"I am all for respecting rights. But how about the sensitivities of women who are uncomfortable with transgenders using women's restrooms; or straight men donning women's clothes," he told reporters in a separate text message.
"Restrooms are biology-based. Lesbians cannot stand in a male only urinals. Konting reality check naman (Some reality check first, please)," he added.
Roman, however, said she is happy with the current provisions of the bill but is also open for amendments.
“Of course we have to listen to all parties concerned. We're very open-minded really. This is how we come up with a bill that is respectful to all parties concerned,” Roman said. (with reports from Vanne Elaine Terrazola)