HOUSE Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima has filed a measure to prohibit and penalize discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sexual characteristics (SOGIESC).
In filing House Bill No. 7069 or the “SOGIESC Equality Act”, De Lima seeks to address the gaps in legislation that prevent members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Allies, Non-Binary/Genderqueer, and other Persons of Diverse SOGIESC (LGBTQUIA+) community from the full enjoyment of their human rights, and that enable the violation of their human dignity.
“While non-discrimination and equal protection of laws for all are well-recognized on paper, the lived realities of Filipinos of diverse SOGIESC or LGBTQUIA+ Filipinos paint a starkly different picture,” De Lima said.
“In the Philippines, stigma, discrimination, hate crimes, and abuse based on SOGIESC are prevalent in the everyday lives of LGBTQUIA+ Filipinos. There is a clear need for national legislation that defines, prohibits, and penalizes acts and practices of exclusion and discrimination based on SOGIESC,” she added.
The SOGIESC Equality Bill, formerly known as the SOGIE Bill or the Anti-Discrimination Bill, has been repeatedly filed and re-filed in both Houses of Congress for more than 25 years without much success despite the bill’s laudable provisions and lofty aims that are consistent with the 1987 Constitution, aligned with State policies, and consonant with international human rights treaties to which the Philippines is a signatory.
HB 7069 aims to ensure that all Filipinos, regardless of their SOGIESC, can exercise their rights to life, education, employment, and expression, thus upholding their human dignity without fear of exclusion, discrimination, violence, or abuse.
Once enacted, this measure mandates the creation of SOGIESC Equality Congressional Oversight Committee (SECOC), which shall monitor the compliance of public institutions with the provisions of law. Within three (3) years after the enactment of this Act, the SECOC shall conduct an audit of national and local policies that discriminate on the basis of SOGIESC, and shall submit a report to Congress, the Office of the President, and the Supreme Court, on this subject.
Relatedly, the Bicolana lawmaker earlier welcomed the recent Supreme Court decision recognizing the co-ownership of property in same-sex relationships.
“This is a step toward genuine equality. We hope to continue carrying this momentum in Congress by enacting our proposed House Bill No. 7068 or the ‘Right to Care Act’ and HB 7069 or the ‘SOGIESC Equality Act,’” the lady solon said.
It can be recalled that De Lima also filed HB 7068 to institutionalize the “Right to Care” card system, which allows patients to choose who will make medical decisions on their behalf when they are unable to do so.
Under her proposed “Right to Care Act”, De Lima aims to guarantee equal protection of the laws for Filipinos, ensure access to quality and compassionate health services, address health disparities rooted in social stigma and discrimination, and foster inclusivity for same-sex couples, solo parents, people in non-marital relationships, and other sectors.
“Mangibabaw sana ang pagmamahalan, respeto at pagtanggap natin sa isa’t isa hindi lang tuwing Araw ng mga Puso, Pasko o sa mga espesyal na okasyon. Isabuhay at isulong natin ang pagkakapantay-pantay bilang tungkulin at mahalagang pundasyon ng isang malaya, mapagmalasakit at makataong lipunan,” De Lima said.
“To build a truly compassionate and inclusive society where the dignity and equality of every Filipino is truly upheld, recognized, and protected, it is high time that Congress pass HB 7068 and 7069,” she added.
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