Senator Risa Hontiveros vowed to prioritize the passing of any measures in the Senate that will seek to end gender-based discrimination.
In a statement, Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Quality, said, “The first order of the day is the passage of the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Equality) Bill to put an end to discrimination.”
She made the remark after neophyte Senator Robin Padilla filed a measure seeking to institutionalize civil union for same-sex couples.
“I am thrilled to have a passionate ally in Sen. Padilla and I look forward to working with him in championing equality and LGBTQIA+ rights on the Senate floor,” Hontiveros said.
The lawmaker also said it would be her “first and most important fight” to call for equality and fair treatment to members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) and others community.