Sen. Risa Hontiveros聽 鈥擝ibo Nueva Espa帽a/Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Sen. Risa Hontiveros urged the new Senate leadership on Monday to act on the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression, or Sex Characteristics (Sogiesc) bill.
鈥淚 hope that the new Senate leaders will stand up for the LGBTQIA+ community this Pride Month and every day of their lives as a human being,鈥� Hontiveros said in a statement.
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Her appeal came following the call of the United Nations Population Fund for the passage of the measure, which is a crucial step toward a more inclusive Philippines. Hontiveros noted that 19 of her colleagues had signed the committee report on the Sogiesc equality bill.
鈥淭hat should speak to its acceptability across the aisle,鈥� she said, adding that the Senate鈥檚 majority leader has promised to look into the committee report, which has remained pending in the Senate committee on rules.
However, Senate President Francis Escudero believed the antidiscrimination bill would have a better chance of getting the Senate鈥檚 approval. 鈥淯nless the proponents of the Sogie bill accede to some amendments, it will continue to face rough sailing in the Senate.
The antidiscrimination bill, I believe, has a better chance of passing this year,鈥� he said. 鈥�Tina G. Santos