SENATE PAYS TRIBUTE TO SEN. MIRIAM DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO: Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III (2nd from left) hands over a copy of a senate resolution, expressing the Senate’s profound sympathy and sincere condolence on the passing of former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, to her husband Narciso “Jun” Santiago (3rd from left) during her wake at the Cathedral Grottos of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Quezon City on Saturday, October 1, 2016. Pimentel earlier said that Santiago was the “best president our nation never had,” and that the country has lost a moral giant in the fight against corruption and an intellectual force and brilliant legal mind in Philippine politics. Also in photo are (from right to left) Senators Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito Estrada and Risa Hontiveros, along with Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon. (MNS photo)
MANILA, Oct 4 (Mabuhay) – Minority congressmen who call themselves the “Magnificent 7” seemed lukewarm to the idea of working for the legalization of same-sex marriage for now.
In a regular news conference, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and Akbayan party-list Rep. Tomasito “Tom” Villarin both said although they are willing to discuss proposals on the civil union between members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, they believe it is not yet the right time for that, since there are still other similar pending measures that have to be prioritized.
They were reacting to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s statement saying he is already drafting a bill in support of same-sex civil union, adding that it’s about time to respect and uphold the dignity of LGBTs.
Asked if he would support Alvarez’s measure, Lagman said: “We will cross the bridge when we get there. If it’s ready for divorce, anti-discrimination, then society will be ready for that legislation.”
For now, however, Lagman said more priority should be given to pending measures on anti-discrimination and divorce.
“There is a prioritization. Those filed first and refiled must be prioritized. There is no bill yet on same sex marriage,” he said.
Villarin echoed Lagman’s statement, saying even LGBT members of his party-list think the anti-discrimination bill should be prioritized first.
“Even our LGBT members, sabi unahin muna ang anti-discrimination. So ngayon, hindi namin puwde bitawan ang anti-discrimination bill,” said Villarin.
“So kung sabayan mo ng same-sex marriage it could confuse din the issue,” he added. “We hav to prioritize and focus on the anti-discrimination bill. We hope this 17th Congress can pass the anti-discrimination bill.”
Villarin stressed the difference between same-sex marriage and civil union among LGBTs, saying their group is advocating the latter.
“We haven’t discussed iyong extent ng same-sex marriage. It would involve more studies. Nandiyan ang Family Code, property relations and again, ang effect sa family,” the lawmaker said.
“Hindi porke’t uso iyan sa Europe, sa US ganoon din siya kauso sa Pilipinas,” Villarin said
Villarin clarified, however, that it does not mean Congress is already closing its door on civil union measures.
“If civil union would pertain kung ano lang ang responsibility ng men to men, woman to woman, in a situation like that, I think that’s a policy na puwede i-discuss in the House,” he said.
The party-list lawmaker said he would no longer be surprised if the same-sex marriage bill would later on gain support from a significant number of congressmen, given that similar bills like the anti-discrimination bill have been welcomed by Congress.
“I think with more than 100 members of Congress signing up for the anti-discrimination bill, this issue of same-sex civil union also pertaining to rights between human beings ay hindi naman natin sinasabi na ipagkait natin. So that policy should also be discussed in the House,” he said.
“The anti-discrimination bill has gained support from a big number of congressmen. I think our Congress is ready to discuss policies even like same-sex [union],” Villarin said.
The Magnificent 7 bloc changed their name from “Legitimate 8” after one of its members, Rodante Marcoleta of 1-Sagip party-list, left the group and joined the “supermajority” bloc.(MNS)