THREE lawmakers are pushing for the passage of the proposed SOGIESC Equality Act, saying no Filipino should be denied a job, education, public services or equal treatment because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and sex characteristics.
Representatives Ryan S. Recto of Batangas, Brian Poe of FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list and Javier Miguel “Javi” L. Benitez of Negros Occidental made the call during the initial deliberation of House Bill No. 5266 before the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality.
The measure seeks to prohibit discrimination against members of the LGBTQIA+ community in workplaces, schools, healthcare facilities, public establishments, government services and other areas of daily life.
Recto stressed that the bill does not grant special privileges but seeks to give LGBTQIA+ Filipinos the same protection and opportunities enjoyed by everyone else.
“The goal is not to create a special class or a special provision, but simply to elevate them to the status of everyone else,” Recto said.
He said the proposed legislation is consistent with the 1987 Constitution’s equal protection clause and the government’s duty to protect the rights and dignity of all Filipinos.
Recto also cited the constitutional principle of separation of Church and State, saying discussions on the measure should be guided by legal and constitutional principles, rather than solely by personal religious or moral beliefs.
Poe, meanwhile, said discrimination goes beyond physical violence and includes denying people employment, school admission, healthcare and access to public services because of their identity.
The bill aims to clearly define and prohibit discriminatory acts in public and private institutions, ensuring that individuals are treated fairly regardless of their SOGIESC, Poe said.
In his sponsorship statement, read by Recto, Benitez said protection against discrimination should not depend on where a person lives, noting that some local government units have already passed anti-discrimination ordinances but many LGBTQIA+ Filipinos remain without adequate protection.
“Walang Pilipinong dapat mawalan ng trabaho, ng pag-aaral, o ng dignidad dahil lang sa kung sino siya. Twenty-six years is long enough. Let the Twentieth Congress be the one that finishes this,” Benitez said.
Benitez also pointed out that the House had passed a similar measure in 2017, stressing that no Filipino should be refused employment or expelled from school simply for being gay or transgender.
Addressing concerns from religious groups, Benitez said the proposed law does not seek to change or interfere with marriage. He also expressed hope that people of faith would support the measure and take part in addressing their concerns.
The lawmakers vowed to continue pushing for the bill, saying equality must be reflected not only in the Constitution but also in the everyday lives of Filipinos.
The proposed SOGIESC anti-discrimination measures, including HB 5266, were approved in principle during the committee’s 11th regular meeting on November 11, 2026. The bills will be consolidated for further consideration by the committee.
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