Sotto: At least 15 senators are against Sogie bill

MANILA,  Philippines—   At least 15 of  the 24 senators will vote  against  the  Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (Sogie) Equality bill, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III claimed on Monday.

With certainty,  Sotto reiterated that the  bill  would not get the approval  of the Senate, citing the  existence of  laws that  protect not only  one sector, but every Filipino.

READ: Sotto sees no chance of passing Sogie bill

“We can safely say, and we have studied this proposition already, there’s  no need for  it. It’s  a redundancy,” he said  in a joint press conference  at the Senate.

The Senate leader was joined  by Senator  Joel Villanueva and father, House Deputy  Speaker  Eddie Villanueva,  and various civic leaders and religious groups opposing the Sogie  bill.

“All Filipinos  and everyone  in the Philippines are equally protected by equal rights and all the rights  that are given  any individual in the Philippines,” Sotto  went on.

“There are enough laws that cover that particular issue that they are talking about,” he added.

Asked  if  that meant the measure would not pass the chamber,  the Senate leader  gave a resounding “yes” to the question.

“A great majority, not only 13,” he said, “At least 15 and counting.”

While they are opposing the bill,   Representative Villanueva said they have no “hatred” against members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community.

“We actually love them with the compassionate heart of Jesus because we know the Bible, we know the plan of God, and God loves them all,”  he said.

Like Sotto, however, Representative Villanueva believes there is no need for  Sogie bill since it is already redundant with existing laws./ac