MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers should also consider the sentiment of the public in drafting the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) bill, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Vice President and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said Thursday.
“So if you are representing people, listen. Listen to your constituents and what they have to say about the issue. So a debate I think is very, very important on the matter,” David said.
David also underscored that the CBCP has been in support of the anti-discrimination bill and for the recognition of those belonging to the LGBT community.
Senator Risa Hontiveros recently renewed her call to lawmakers to pass the SOGIE bill after a transgender woman complained of discrimination after she was not allowed to use the ladies’ room at a mall in Quezon City.
READ: Hontiveros urges passage of SOGIE bill after transgender woman’s arrest
However, Senate President Vicente Sotto said that there was “no chance” that the SOGIE bill would be passed in the Senate.
He argued that the Senate could pass an anti-discrimination bill but not the one that’s focusing only on members of the LGBTQ.
READ: Sotto: No chance of passing SOGIE bill in Senate