SOGIE Bill

SOGIE Bill which stands for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression Equality
Bill or the Anti – Discrimination Bill is officially the longest – running bill in the Philippine
history. The bill was first filed by the former senator Miriam Defensor – Santiago and
Akbayan Party – list representative Etta Rosales way back in year 2000. It has passed
the 3rd reading in the House of Representatives but obstructed in Senate. The same bill
was chronically passed in the Congress by former senator Defensor – Santiago but
recurrently being rejected in the Upper House. In the 17th Congress, House Bill no. 4982
authored by Dinagat Islands representative Kaka Bag – ao, Bataan representative
Geraldine Roman, Akbayan Party – list representative Tom Villarin and others did not
passed the third and final reading for the first time since 2001. In the July of this year,
during 18th Congress, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara made a new proposal to Congress
which prohibit unfair discrimination based on, among other categories, sex, sexual
orientation and gender identity and expression.
A lot of big names in both in politics and showbiz industry are very vocal in expressing
their support to the SOGIE bill but also a large number of prominent people begged to
disagree with the said bill such as Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senator Emmanuel
Pacquiao, Senator Cynthia Villar, Senator Joel Villanueva and other people outside
political arena. Moreover, if we will relate it to the concept of offices of Gelasian Doctrine,
the bill will violate the ecclesiastical office for it violates the teachings of the church. God
made men of only two genders; the male and female.
In addition to that, the above House Bill seeks to eradicate the inequality among the
members of the LGBTQIA+ however, the enactment of the House Bill no. 4982 will cause
violation to certain rights of non – LGBTQIA+ members specifically women. This country
does not need any additional laws regarding anti – discrimination for there are numerous
number of laws which aim to ensure the equality of every Filipino citizen. Women are
given equal rights as to with men with the legislation of RA 9710 seeks to eliminate
discrimination through the recognition, protection, fulfillment, and promotion of the rights
of Filipino women, especially those belonging in the marginalized sectors of the society.
Also, it was stated in the Article 135 of RA 6725 that “It shall be unlawful for any employer
to discriminate against any woman employee with respect to terms and conditions of
employment solely on account of her sex.” Those are just two of the great number of laws
concerning anti – discrimination which means that House Bill no. 4982 must be subject
for dismissal in the Congress for it will cause unnecessary conflicts in the long run.

Same - sex Marriage

Same – sex marriage or commonly called as gay marriage is the marriage of two people
of the same sex or gender, entered into in a civil or religious ceremony. In the Philippines,
same – sex marriage is a trending topic for several years. In October 2017, Speaker
Pantaleon Alvarez of the House of the Representatives filed House Bill No. 6595 or the
Act Recognizing the Civil Partnership of Couples Providing for their Rights and
Obligations that would grant same-sex couples all benefits and protections as are granted
to spouses in a marriage, including the ability to jointly adopt, inherit property, obtain tax
benefits, and share insurance, health, and pension benefits.

This bill does not adhere to the ecclesiastical conception of the Galesian Doctrine for God
prohibit union of two individuals of the same gender due to the reason that marriage is a
holy sacrament done with naturally born male and female. Hence, the Philippine Supreme
Court rejected the petition of gay lawyer Jesus Falcis III which launched a petition in 2015,
claiming discrimination and adding a gay and a lesbian couple to his petition in 2016. The
court dismissed the case on the grounds that Falcis had no legal standing since he never
applied for a marriage license, meaning there was no potential violation of Falcis'
constitutional rights that could serve as a basis.

The legislation of the above mentioned House Bill will result to various disadvantages
which include the unhealthy child development, prone to bullying, burdens the adoption
process, etc. Moreover, additional health complications between same – sex couples are
more likely to arise and it will eventually be epidemic and contagious which will lead to
the possibility of being a threat to public health. Legalizing same – sex marriage will be
very alarming for medical practitioners and professionals must prepare for the negative
health outcome of the said issue.
 Legalization of Divorce in Philippines

Divorce pertains to the legal dissolution of marriage between the parties of husband and
wife by a court or any other competent body. On March 19, 2018, the House of
Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 7303 which seeks to
legalize absolute divorce in the country, over a decade after it was introduced during the
13th Congress in 2005. Bills of the same purpose had recurrently filed by the lawmakers
during the 14th, 15th, and 16th Congress. For the 15th Congress, then Cagayan de Oro
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Pangasinan Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas sponsored
House Bill No. 4368 that seeks to "harmonize" the Family Code "with recent rulings of
the Supreme Court on divorce obtained by the alien spouse in another country." The
House plenary approved the said bill on Sept. 26, 2012, and was received by the
Senate on the same day. Then Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan also
filed a bill to amend the Family Code and introduce divorce. The bill was referred to the
Committee on Revision of Laws on January 26, 2011.Five similar bills on divorce were
also filed during the 16th Congress. The Ilagan-sponsored bill has been pending with
the Committee on Population and Family Relations since May 20, 2014.

But then again, despite the several proponent of the said motion, the Catholic Church
strongly disagrees with the legalization of divorce. The Church views as a sacred vow
and asserts that no one can break what God has unified through the sacrament of
marriage. The above motion does not adhere to the ecclesiastical office for it flout the
holiness of marriage aside from the fact that it will cause multiple personal issues on the
children in the future. Moreover, the Philippine Constitution recognizes family as the
foundation of the state. Hence, legalization of divorce will technically mean
abandonment of the Article II Section 12 of the fundamental law of the land which states
that “The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the
family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall protect the life of the mother and
the life of the unborn from conception. The natural and primary duty of parents in the
rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and development of moral character shall receive
the support of the Government.”

Recently, the Divorce Bill, or House Bill 7303, passed with 134 votes in favor and 57
against, with two abstentions. This divorce bill would mean a court ruling could dissolve
a marriage if it is labeled as "irremediably broken", allowing individuals to remarry
another person of the opposite sex. The bill would also give courts the power to decide
custody "in accordance with the best interests" of minors. Children under seven could
not be separated from their mothers unless there were valid reasons. Legislators have
advanced numerous divorce bills since 1999, but until now they have all failed to pass
committee stage.