President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson, Atty. Harry Roque, stated that the country’s head does not support recognizing LGBTQI relationships, even if he supports the SOGIE Equality Bill.
As tweeted by GMA News’ Joseph Morong, Roque was quoted as saying: “Ang Pangulo po hindi po sang-ayon sa same-sex marriage whether church or civil. Pero suportado nya ang SOGIE Bill. Ang detalye pinauubaya nya po sa Kongreso.”
This is the latest flip-flopping of Duterte on LGBTQI issues.
Only a few days ago – on October 22 – Malacañang reiterated Duterte’s support for the recognition of civil union of same-sex couples in the country.
This came at the heels of the statement of Pope Francis, who – in a feature-length documentary “Francesco” – endorsed same-sex civil unions for the first time as pontiff.
“The President has said it over and over again, pabor po siya sa isang batas na magri-recognize ng civil union sa mga parehong same sex relationships (he is in favor of a law that will recognize civil union of same sex relationships),” Roque stated then. “Recognition of civil union has always been supported by the President.”
Duterte has not certified the SOGIE Equality Bill as a priority bill; and he has yet to establish the commission for LGBTQIA Filipinos that he pledged he’d form.
