Should same sex marriage be legalized or not?

Same sex marriage is quintessentially a 21 st century phenomena. In 2015,

17 countries around the globe have laws allowing same sex couples to become
legally married. Some countries have same sex marriage is rising, however,
which leads many to believe that acceptance will continue to grow. To better
explore this, let us define same sex marriage.

According to legal dictionaries, same sex marriage is defined as, the legal
union between two people of the same sex or the state or condition of being
married to another person of the same gender.

Same sex marriage supporters reiterate that love should be sufficient

grounds for marriage, regardless of the gender or sexual orientation of the
couple. Those on the opposite side of the same sex marriage debate often cite
religious beliefs, or concerns about procreation and child rearing, to support their
arguments.

Philippines was regarded as one of the most gay-friendly nations in Asia,

being the 10th most gay-friendly in a 2013 global survey covering 39 countries,
in which only 17 had majorities accepting homosexuality. However, same sex
marriage is something that was still hanging issue. In December 2014, Herminio
Coloma Jr, a spokesperson for the Presidential Palace, commented on same-sex
marriage, saying; "We must respect the rights of individuals to enter into such
partnerships as part of their human rights, but we just need to wait for the
proposals in Congress".

Right after Ireland legalized same-sex marriage through a popular vote in

May 2015, advocates for the legalization of same-sex marriage in the Philippines
saw the possibility of legalizing such marriages with a public petition. The
Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, however, is opposed to the idea
despite stating that it supports 'equality for all'. To the extent of even stating
that 'same-sex marriage' and 'falling for the same sex is wrong'.

The Family Code of the Philippines states in Articles 1, 2 and 147,

respectively:

"Marriage is a special contract of permanent union between a man and a

woman entered into in accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal
and family life. It is the foundation of the family and an inviolable social
institution whose nature, consequences, and incidents are governed by law and
not subject to stipulation, except that marriage settlements may fix the property
relations during the marriage within the limits provided by this Code."[42]
 "No marriage shall be valid, unless these essential requisites are present:

(1) Legal Capacity of contracting parties who must be a male and a

female; and

(2) Consent freely given in the presence of the solemnizing officer."

On 18 February 2016, during his presidential campaign, Rodrigo Duterte

announced that should he win the election he would consider legalizing same-sex
marriage if a proposal is presented to him. Duterte won the presidential election.
In March 2017, however, Duterte said that he personally opposes same-sex
marriage. On 17 December 2017, Duterte changed his position on the issue,
expressing his support again. He further guaranteed that, during his term, the
rights of LGBT people in the Philippines would be protected and nurtured.

With the pronouncements made by President according to his views on

the same sex marriage legalization in the Philippines, the LGBTQ community in
the country peeks a light on its pursuance. Although many Filipinos are still tied
to the strong beliefs that oppose it, many straight men and women also in favors
it in respect or acceptance to the same sex couples who wish to legalize the
shared rights and responsibilities in raising of children, merging of properties,
inheritance and the like.

Everybody is entitled with his/her own belief as the democracy’s cloth

cover all Filipino’s with such, whilst maintaining the strong conviction of its rich
culture through religion and tradition. The decision on the legalization on same
sex marriage will depend on the countries future disposition for the rights of the
LGBTQ community. But as of now, we can assess where we stand with our own
perception of the changing definition of rights for the continuously changing
world with its continuously changing people’s beliefs and standards.