SAN FERNANDO CITY, PAMPANGA – Philippines’ second-highest official, Sara Z. Duterte, advocated for two pro-LGBTQIA+ legal measures that she said are “ripe” to become laws: the proposed Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act (CADB) that, she said, upholds and is “a universal human obligation”; and the proposed Civil Union Act that seeks to amend the Family Code by defining civil unions as legal relationships for same-sex couples so they can be given rights in areas like property, inheritance, adoption, and social security, thereby “moving beyond mere accommodation to genuine, tailored inclusion.”
According to Duterte, “while we celebrate the growing acceptance and local protections, we must also acknowledge that the journey toward true equity is far from over, especially when it comes to economic opportunity.”
DIRECT SUPPORT
Duterte’s office claims to be the “only national government agency that has established a readily identifiable, comprehensive, and targeted support for the LGBTQIA+ community in terms of employment and livelihood programs at the national level.”
The Office of the vice President (OVP) has the “Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day” program, which provides capital, trainings, et al to select LGBTQIA+ Filipinos. Beneficiaries so far include members of the 200-member Palauig LGBTQ Inc. in Palauig, Zambales; members of the 100-member Alima LGBTQIA+ Zamboanga del Sur Association; and 53 LGBTQIA+ individuals in key cities across the country.
“Ang okasyong ito ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagdiriwang at pagkilala; ito rin ay tungkol sa pagbibigay-kapangyarihan at pagbuo ng mga nasasalat na landas tungo sa mas ligtas na kinabukasan,” said Duterte.
“We have witnessed how, given the right tools and support, they can flourish, create jobs, and contribute significantly to our economy. That is why we strongly recommend expanding our national social protection programs to explicitly cover non-traditional families. This is not just about fairness; it is about smart economics and building a truly inclusive society where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, has the opportunity to achieve financial stability and contribute their full potential.”
FOCUS ON LAW CHANGES
Recognizing the role of a pro-LGBTQIA+ legislative agenda, Duterte said that the OVP is reviewing “key legislative and policy measures—those pending, those proposed, and those ripe for our support.”
Some of these include:
- The creation of a National LGBTQIA+ Commission that will “serve as the comprehensive lead agency, coordinating with government bodies, formulating evidence-based policies, and developing vital empowerment programs — especially for vulnerable sectors like LGBTQIA+ youth who too often face rejection, school dropout, and homelessness.”
- Strengthening of the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313) “to address gender-based harassment, especially with evolving technologies”., including “establishing LGBTQIA+ focal desks in law enforcement agencies and offices, creating halfway homes and emergency shelters for survivors of abuse, and setting up dedicated helplines for psychosocial support”.
- Expanding access to mental health and HIV health services.
- Development of “inclusive humanitarian response” since “LGBTQIA+ individuals have unique needs” needing the development of “gender-sensitive evacuation plans, including separate shelters, and ensure the participation of LGBTQIA+ persons in local disaster risk reduction and management councils”.
- Pushing for the inclusion in national demographics and health surveys for disaggregated data on LGBTQIA+ well-being, vulnerabilities, and population figures from agencies like the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Health.
“These are not just abstract legal concepts; these are the very fabric of a truly equitable and resilient Philippine society,” Duterte said.
Interestingly, while openly supporting the CADB, Duterte was mum on the SOGIE Equality Bill that, very specifically, eyes to protect the human rights of people no matter their SOGIESC.
DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES
Duterte said that, “having seen firsthand the impact of both the presence and absence of targeted support,” she “stands ready to champion legislative efforts that support the LGBTQIA+ community.”
“I call upon our lawmakers, our civil society partners and every Filipino to join us in this crucial endeavor. Let us transform our aspirations into concrete laws, building a Philippines where every single person can live with dignity, security, and pride. Together, let us uplift LGBTQIA+ voices, enrich dialogue, and strengthen our collective calls for equality and inclusion within Philippine society. Inuulit ko, unahin natin ang bansa kaysa sa pansariling interes. Kumilos tayo para sa tunay na ikabubuti ng sambayanan.”
