Vice President Leni Robredo has sounded off on several contentious issues that are usually brought up during election season.
The 56-year-old official expressed her support for same-sex "unions" and offered precautionary measures and alternatives to abortion and divorce, saying these are more practical and more accessible to those who might need them.
In an online interview on Friday, Sept. 3, the Vice President said that she has always been in support of same-sex unions.
"I support same-sex unions. I have always been very open about freedom of choice," she said, when asked about whether or not she supports same-sex marriage.
"Yung pagbigay ng kalayaan para sa lahat na i-pursue kung ano yung gusto nila basta hindi ito nakakasama sa kapwa niya (I support giving freedom to people to pursue what they want as long as they do not have any negative effect to others)," she added.
In January last year, the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed a motion to reconsider its Sept. 2019 ruling that denied a petition to approve same-sex marriage in the country.
Abortion
Abortion is a big no-no for the Robredo. In this regard, she suggested strengthening health services and sex education to prevent women, especially teenagers, from resorting to extreme actions.
"Kailangang ma-integrate yun sa curriculum natin habang bata pa yung mga bata (Sex education should be integrated into the curriculum while the kids are still young)," she said.
"Yung sa akin, making sure na yung (For me, it's making sure that our) health services available to everyone," she added.
According to Robredo, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has been doing its part in addressing teenage pregnancies.
"We have been doing a lot of work on this, also. We have been doing on teenage pregnancies," she said.
"Kaya lang napakaliit naming opisina, we can only do so much. Kakaunti lang ang aming nasasaklawan (However, our office is too small, we can only do so much. We can only cater to few people)," she added.
President Duterte has expressed support for several family-planning methods, citing how poor Filipinos have suffered. However, he categorically thumbed down abortion in the country.
"Of course, abortion is out of the question. I will not allow it," he said, even calling the country of Iceland "shameless" for allowing such a policy.
Divorce
While not giving a straight answer whether or not she wants divorce legalized in the country, Vice President Robredo said she thinks the law is lacking when it comes to supporting abused women.
According to Robredo, the country's Family Code has a Declaration of Nullity of Marriage but said this needed to be amended.
"Ang requirements niya ay too . Ang karamihan sa nakaka-access ng remedy na ito ay yung may kaya (Its requirements are too prohibitive. Only those who are well-off can access this remedy)," she said.
She cited, in particular, the requirement to have a psychological test--something that not many people can afford--to show the psychological incapacity of the spouse.
She added that getting a lawyer was also expensive. Although there are lawyers providing free services, the Vice President said not everyone can have access to these lawyers.
Robredo said Congress should pass a marital infidelity law that would treat crimes like adultery and concubinage equally.
"Kung ano yung requirements sa babae, yun din yung sa lalaki. Pero hindi kasi nabibigyan ng priority, eh (We should set the same requirements for both men and women. But we haven't prioritized this much)," she said.
"Hindi natututukan, maraming ibang inaasikaso. Pero kailangan nating isipin na maraming kababaihan na nagsa-suffer in silence (We have been focused on other things. But we should also think that many women are suffering in silence)," she added.
In 2018, Malacañang said President Duterte had "no comment" on talks about a Divorce Bill, saying it's up for Congress to decide on.