The Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression (Sogie) Equality Bill is not meant to pave the way for same-sex marriage in the Philippines, Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman repeatedly clarified on Tuesday, March 7, as she gave her “palabra de honor (word of honor)” to religious groups that their grievances against the bill would be heard. 

During a hearing by the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality, wherein lawmakers discussed the consolidation of several Sogie bills, the lawmaker explained that the bill’s “main objective” is for the protection of LGBTQ+ rights.  

LGBTQ+ refers to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.

“I would like to clarify why this is entitled anti-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity expression. It is a recognition, in fact, that there are Filipinos, male and female, who are discriminated against because they are viewed to have a different sexual orientation, or different gender identity and expression,” she told members of the House and resource persons. 

“Rest assured, especially to the religious groups, that your suggestions and concerns will be dealt with in the technical working group. Palabra de honor, ita-tackle po natin ‘yan (we will tackle that),” Roman, the committee’s chair, added. 

This she promised as she maintained that there was nothing in the Sogie Equality Bill “that explicitly nor implicitly wants to effect same-sex marriage.”

Her remarks came amid protests by religious leaders and groups that the bill would lead to the approval of same-sex marriage. 

“There is nothing in this bill that will actually allow like what I’ve said, same-sex marriage. In fact, doon sa (in the) granting ng (of) licenses, we are very specific (that) this doesn’t pertain to marriage licenses,” she added.

The lawmaker stressed that the “reason” to fight against discrimination for Filipinos with different sexual orientation and gender identity is “because of our belief that we are all Filipinos and we are all citizens of our country regardless of our sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.”

Roman also said that the proposed measure would, in particular, protect Filipinos in the workplace and schools, as well as in the delivery of government services and access to commercial and public establishments. 

“A qualified person should be given equal opportunities for employment, for learning. And that person is discriminated against because siya ay bakla, tomboy (he is gay, lesbian) or transgender, para naman ata hindi (it is not) fair so kinakailangan po namin tugunan itong sitwasyong na ‘to sa pamamagitan ng  (so we need to address this situation through the) Sogiesc equality,” the solon explained. 

The proposed measures to be consolidated are House Bills (HBs) 222, 460, 3418, 4277, 5551, 6003, and 7036, “Prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristic and providing penalties for violation thereof,” by Reps. Roman, Juan Carlos ‘Arjo’ Atayde, Antonio Legarda Jr., Christopher De Venecia, Arlene Brosas, Patrick Michael Vargas, and Edwin Olivarez. 

Also to be included in the consolidated version of the bill is HB No. 3702, “Establishing help and protection desks for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual, asexual, and individuals of various sexual and gender orientations in all Philippine National Police (PNP) stations, amending for the purpose Title VII of RA 8551, as amended, otherwise known as the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998,” by Batangas 6th District Rep. Ralph Recto.