MANILA, Philippines -- Ang Ladlad, the gay advocacy group seeking accreditation from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as a party-list group, said it would not campaign for same-sex marriage in the Philippines.

Danton Remoto, Ladlad chair, said the group aimed to provide gays a legal representation in Congress.

He also stressed that their group would focus on ending discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders in the workplace and schools.

Responding to a question from the commissioners about their stand on legalizing same-sex marriage, a project that was spearheaded by gay groups in California and Massachusettes, Remoto said: ?We are not advocates of same-sex marriage.?

He noted that the campaign for same-sex union would be ?difficult? to wage in the Philippines, which is a predominantly Catholic country.

The group, he told the poll body, has about 22,000 members nationwide.

The group, he noted, have helped their constituents fight against discrimination in their workplaces and schools. They also provided psychosocial counseling to troubled teenagers.

Ladlad also applied for party-list accreditation in the 2007 elections, but their application was rejected.

Some Comelec officials questioned their status as a marginalized and underprivileged sector in society.

Remoto, an Ateneo de Manila University professor, said many gays in the Philippines are marginalized because they are turned away from their chosen professions because of their sexuality.

?I don?t think gays are rich. Only Ricky Reyes and Boy Abunda are rich,? Remoto said, making a lighthearted comment and referring to the two celebrities.

Remoto said he is confident that the group will get the Comelec?s nod, now that they have proven that they have a nationwide membership.