BATANG MAYNILA
Mayor Isko Moreno
On Thursday last week, we in the city of Manila affirmed our commitment to afford everybody equal treatment, regardless of their sexual preferences or identities and to make sure that bullying or harassment, particularly of the members of the LGBTQI (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, queers, and intersex) community, will have no place in the premier city.
During the campaign, I repeatedly made pronouncements geared to this. I made assurances that given a chance to govern Manila, I would make sure that everybody will be, as a matter of policy, treated equally with utmost respect, understanding, and compassion.
Before the pandemic hit the country, our plan was already in the pipeline but unfortunately, the health emergency came and all other things had to be set aside in the meantime.
Finally, our plan came to fruition, thanks to the tireless support and effort of my fellow city officials, specially Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, Majority Floorleader Joel Chua, President Pro Tempore Jong Isip, and author-Councilor Joel Villanueva who helped pass Ordinance 8695, the “Manila LGBTQI Protection Ordinance of 2020,” in the Manila City Council. They, along with Councilor and Liga ng mga Barangay president Lei Lacuna and Department of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts-Manila (DTCAM) chief Charlie Dungo, who are both members of the community, joined us in the signing of the landmark city ordinance into law.
After the council passed it, I excitedly signed it so that providing full protection for the rights of LGBTQI against any and all forms of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, expression (SOGIE) is now a policy --- a local law that should be followed to the letter. It also penalizes violators.
With the ordinance now taking the form of a new law enforceable in Manila,, no LGBTQI will have to suffer from any form of discrimination any longer either in the workplace, school or educational institutions, and social media platforms, among others. This is consistent with the city government’s approach to be “inclusive” in every way possible, as we also frown at any form of bullying.
Each barangay is mandated to establish an LGBTQI Desk which shall receive and attend to complaints, safeguard the rights and interests of the aggrieved members of the LGBTQI community, and document any incidents of physical, emotional, or psychological abuses.
Within three years from the passage of the ordinance, gender- neutral toilets are now a must inside the lavatory or comfort room of restaurants, bars, stores, movies houses, shopping malls and other similar business establishments which are open to the general public for the use of members of the LGBTQI community. No establishment can renew their business permit unless the provision of such toilets is met. In the case of large establishments where there are several lavatories or comfort rooms on each floor, designation shall be made to a specific floor where gender neutral toilets are located.
Any LGBTQI whose rights against discrimination have been violated may file a complaint with the barangay chairman who has jurisdiction in the place where the victim lives. If the prohibited acts were committed in workplace, schools, universities, and similar establishments, the complaint shall be filed in the barangay where the commission took place.
To give teeth to the new law and better ensure compliance, penalties have been provided for violators – a fine of not less than P1,000, or imprisonment of six months, or both at the discretion of the court for the first offense; imprisonment of six months and one day to eight months for the second offense, and imprisonment of eight months and one day to one year for the third offense. Subsequent violations shall be punished by a penalty of one- year imprisonment and fine of not less than P5,000.
I am so glad that again, we made history in Manila. It was the first time that the city’s local legislative body and the local chief executive recognized the value and contribution of our LGBT community in the society.
In my case, the LGBTQI have played vital roles in my office and journey through life. They were among those who helped me get out of poverty by giving me a chance to be part of showbusiness, particularly during my “That’s Entertainment” days.
When I got elected as councilor, as vice mayor, and now as mayor, and even when I was appointed by the President in national agencies and GOCCs, I always had the support of the LGBT community.
Now, those who look down upon our gay friends will have to answer for their actions and such will not be tolerated.
We are all equal in every way and the situation will remain as such for as long as I am the mayor of Manila. And you can take that to the bank!
***
Gaya ng paulit-ulit kong sinasabi, kailangan ko ang tulong ninyong lahat. Walang magmamalasakit sa Maynila kundi tayo ding mga Batang Maynila. Manila, God first!***
For updates on latest developments in the city of Manila, please visit my Facebook account – ‘Isko Moreno Domagoso’