MANILA, Philippines ? The Commission on Elections has dismissed the petition of Ang Ladlad, an organization that has been pushing for equal rights for gays, lesbians, and transgenders under the law, to become a party-list group.

In an eight-page resolution dated Nov. 11, the Comelec Second Division states Ang Ladlad?s petition ?must fail? because homosexuality offends the morals and goes against Christian and Muslim faiths.

?Should this Commission grant the petition, we will be exposing our youth to an environment that does not conform to the teachings of our faith,? the Second Division ruling states.

According to the resolution, the Comelec is not denouncing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.

?We are not condemning the LGBT, but we cannot compromise the well-being of the greater number of our people, especially the youth,? the resolution read.