By Raymund Antonio
Vice President Leni Robredo debunked an online post claiming that she called for the passage of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) bill establishing four genders in the country.
Robredo also belied that she said that sex of newborns should not be indicated in birth certificates until a child reaches the age of 10.
Vice President Leni Robredo (Photo courtesy of Office of the Vice President of the Philippines via Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“Fake. Let’s report,” Robredo, who has been a victim of unfounded rumors and bashing on social media, said in her personal Facebook page.
The lady official made the remark in response to a post by Minandaya Vines, which also contained an image of her, transgender woman Gretchen Diez, and Naomi Fontanos, president of the group called “Ganda Filipinas.”
Robredo called the attention of the public about the fake post which read: “BREAKING NEWS: Nanawagan ang bise nyo na si Robredo na ipasa na ang batas ni Satanas para maging apat na ang gender sa Pilipinas.”
(BREAKING NEWS: Vice President Robredo calls for the passage of Satan’s law so there will be four genders in the Philippines.)
The post added: “Wag daw muna lagyan ng male o female ang birth certificate pag may ipinapanganak, hintayin daw 10 yrs baka kumembot yung male saka ilagay ang gay.”
(It should not be indicated whether a newborn is male or female on birth certificates. Wait for 10 years, the male child may shake his hips then he would be gay.)
The Vice President issued a statement on SOGIE bill only during an interview with One Media TV48 Naga last month in light of an incident where Diez was barred from using a women’s restroom at Farmers Plaza in Quezon City.
Robredo, who co-authored the bill in the 16th Congress, said the incident could serve as an eye-opener to Filipinos.
“I hope this incident, no matter how unfortunate, would be instrumental in making our lawmakers to finally realize it’s about time to pass this bill. This has not been passed for a long time,” she said.
“The incident could be a way for many of our countrymen to realize the discrimination is really happening, that our fellow citizens should be enjoying the rights we enjoy, but they weren’t because of discrimination,” she added.