Following Pope Francis' support for same-sex civil union, Senator Maria Josefa Imelda “Imee” Marcos called on her colleagues to act on her proposal seeking to recognize the right homosexual partners to co-own properties.
Marcos echoed the Pope in saying that same-sex couples also have the right to have a family and to also enjoy the benefits enjoyed by heterosexual spouses.
"Sabi ng Santo Papa (The Pope said), 'Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God.' Tayong lahat ay anak ng Diyos, na lahat ring minamahal ng Panginoon (We are all children of God, who he loves). Amen po (to that)," she said in a statement.
"At sana magka-hearing na 'yong aking SB No. 417 na kumikilala sa civil union na binanggit ni Pope Francis, kung saan may karapatan at obligasyon ang bawat partner ng isang mahabang samahan (And I hope we can start the hearings on my Senate Bill No. 417 which recognizes the civil union mentioned by Pope Francis, wherein homosexual couple will the rights and obligations in a long-term partnership)," she added.
Under her Senate Bill No. 417, same-sex couples who have been cohabiting and living together for at least one year can jointly acquire, own, use or sell, dispose properties for their benefit.
The co-ownership will be dissolved in case of death, disabilty or separation of the couple, unless they agreed to continue it thru a contract. Each of them shall have an equal share in the properties they acquired during their partnership.
The bill, filed in July last year, had been referred to the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros.
Aside from her bill, Marcos also pointed out the need to grant same-sex couple other benefits.
"On a personal note, sa dinami-dami kong kaibigang LGBT, na may talino at sipag, na sumikat at kumita, ang dami rin sa kanila o sa kanilang partner ang tumandang mag-isa, 'di mabayaran ang ospital, at hanggang sa paglibing, kapos pa rin ang pamilya," she raised.