Rep Bernadette Herrera said that imposing the religious beliefs of any church, faith, or religious group on others who are not members or followers of such beliefs is discrimination and contrary to basic human rights.
The options for same-sex partnerships put forth to Congress do not aim to weaken or minimize marriages sanctified by Catholic church or other religious rites. The divorce and annulment bills in the House and Senate do not aim to impose religious beliefs on people who do not follow or hold those beliefs.
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Representative Bernadette Herrera said that imposing the religious beliefs of any church, faith, or religious group on others who are not members or followers of such beliefs is patent discrimination and contrary to basic human rights.
“Lahat tayo’y may karapatang piliin ang taong nais nating makasama’t alagaan bilang civil partners. Hindi ito usapin ng relihiyon. Kundi isyu ito ng karapatang pantao,” she continued.
Civil partnerships are the alternatives presented in bills filed so that spousal rights are accorded or conferred consistent with the constitutional principles of equality, equity, and due process of law through civil marriage or its various forms.
“I am therefore asking those vehemently opposed to equity and equality for the LGBTQ+ community and against SOGIE rights to approach the issue of same-sex marriage, LGBTQ+ rights, divorce, and annulment with calm, sobriety, and compassion for other people who deserve to have the same rights they enjoy because we are all equal as people under our constitution,” Herrera explained.
House Bill 1015, which allows for couples' civil partnerships, is currently pending in the House.
“Take note, civil partnership po ang isinusulong namin sa Kongreso, hindi same-sex marriage,” Herrera cited
“Matagal nang kinikilala ng Civil Code of the Philippines na kahit sinong tao sa Pilipinas ay maaaring pumasok sa isang partnership agreement,” she said.
There are six House Bills on divorce and some more bills on annulment. There are counterpart bills in the Senate. Canceling them out because of religious beliefs are not consistent with our Constitution and laws.
Tags: #LGBTQ+, #HB1015