CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Some city councilors have admitted they have not read the Senate bill that seeks to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression (SOGIE).
CAGAYAN de Oro City Council seal (Franck Dick Rosete)
As a result, proposed Resolution No. 2023-563, which was supposed to express the 20th city council’s support for the proposed measure’s passage, was deferred and will go to the usual legislative procedure by bringing it to the appropriate committee for further discussion.
Councilor James Judith II was among the legislators who said that he still has not read the proposed measure. He asked during the discussion if “civil union” or “civil partnership” was included in the bill.
Under Senate Bill No. 689, or the Anti-Discrimination Act, which was the measure stated under the proposed resolution, no civil union was included.
This has been reiterated by Sen. Risa Hontiveros who said that there is no same-sex marriage provision in the bill.
There was also no same-sex marriage in the SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sex Characteristics) bill that was approved by the House Committee on Women and Gender Sexuality last May. Under the bill, “denying a person’s application for a marriage license does not qualify as a discriminatory practice.”
Senate Bill No. 449, or the Civil Unions Act, that seeks to institutionalize civil unions of same-sex couples, was a separate bill introduced by Sen. Robinhood Padilla.
Councilor Jose Pepe Abbu Jr. said that he has not read any single provision of the proposed measure, adding that the only thing he knew was that it was a “controversial bill.”
“Personally, I do not know what are the contents of the bill. I cannot also say what is the support that I am be giving. Let me just put it on record that I have no against if ever,” Abbu said, expressing that he respects the LGBTQ community.
Councilor Roger Abaday also said he does not know the context of the bill but stressed that it is for gender equality.
The Gender and Development (GAD) Office here has participated in the national campaign of LGBTQ organizations that aims to gather “Lavan Letters” from the community, LGBTQ supporters, and allies, urging the Senate and Congress to pass the proposed measure.
City Diversity and Equality Focal Person Remy Labiano II said in a Facebook post on November 13 that the targeted 10,000 letters that would be gathered in the campaign would be brought to the Senate and House of Representatives on December 10 during the celebration of International Human Rights Day.
Councilor Joyleen Mercedes Balaba, the proponent of proposed Resolution No. 2023-563, said Labiano wanted to bring the resolution to the two Houses of Congress.
Mayor Rolando Uy here signed two letters to be delivered by Labiano addressed to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez urging their chambers to pass the SOGIE Equality Bill.
In an interview with iFM Cagayan de Oro on Monday, Balaba expressed dismay and sought the council’s support.
She added that the proposed resolution would possibly be tackled next year, as the city council conducted its last regular session for 2023 on Monday.