FILE PHOTO: Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante. INQUIRER.net/Noy Morcoso
MANILA, Philippines — For groups attending the House panel hearing for the proposed Anti-Discrimination bill, here are a few things to remember: first, try to keep things civil; and second, no profanity – keep it clean.
Following the heated debates on the proposed measure between religious organizations and members of the LGBTQIA community, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. gave his assurance on Tuesday that the measure will protect human rights.
Abante said that even though discussions could get intense, he believes that it helps improve a bill’s substance and would benefit the people in the end.
READ: Bible verses invoked in House hearing to oppose Anti-Discrimination bill
“We would like to ask everyone to please participate in the next committee hearing we have, lahat (everyone). Kung gusto niyong mag-away kayo dito, we’ll allow you to do that, basta wala lang violence ah, wala lang violence, basta salita lang,” Abante said.
(If you want to fight here, we’ll allow you to do that, as long as we don’t resort to violence and use just words.)
“Wala lang magmumura ah, sapagkat hindi na po nagmumura ang bagong Pangulo natin ngayon (Also, no using foul language because our new President now does not curse),” he added.
Abante raised this matter after Cibac party-list Rep. Eddie Villanueva said that several religious and conservative groups have asked for some time during the hearings to express their stand and address issues with the bill – which many religious leaders believe to be a mere substitute for the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill.
In response, the committee chair said that suggestions are very much welcome because the hearing on Tuesday is only an initial one – with more hearings possibly set by early 2023.
“We welcome everyone to participate ‘no, whether you are opposed to this bill, or you support this bill, or whatever proposals you have. We welcome all stakeholders that are concerned about this to deliberate with us,” Abante said.
“Because we really would like – this is just an initial hearing, and as far as I am concerned, we would like to hear more kasi ito dapat itong bill na ito (because this bill) should be accepted by the majority of the Filipino people,” he added.
He also assured Reyna Valmores, chairperson of progressive LGBT group Bahaghari, who was present during Tuesday’s hearing, that the rights of the LGBTQIA community will be protected despite his differences with them.
It could be remembered that Valmores was among those who reacted violently to Abante’s bill, which allows heterosexuals or straight individuals to voice their opinions without fear of discrimination freely. After the bill was filed in early November, Valmores called it a “joke of a law,” adding that lawmakers’ time should be better spent crafting relevant legislation.
READ: Bill to protect heterosexuals filed; LGBTQIA+ group calls it ‘a joke of a law’
“Po-protektahan ko kayo na hindi kayo pwedeng i-discriminate. Naniniwala po itong committee na ito na dapat anuman, kahit na hindi ako nag-aagree sa inyo, that you should not be discriminated upon because you are a human person, ‘yon po ‘yong nakalagay sa Constitution ‘di ba,” Abante told Valmores.
(I will protect you, you should not be discriminated. This committee believes that whatever the reason is, even if I disagree with your views, you should not be discriminated against because you are a human person, that is what is provided in the Constitution, right?)
With more hearings needed, the committee has not approved the substitute bill to the four anti-discrimination proposals.
Earlier during the hearing, tensions rose after several resource persons from religious groups passionately defended their stand on the bill. Bishop Leo Alconga of the Philippine for Jesus Movement used several Bible verses and other Christian teachings to insist that the Constitution – which he said is centered on God – already provides anti-discriminatory provisions.