Senator denies blocking Sogiesc bill debates

Sen. Joel Villanueva —Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Joel Villanueva, a devout Christian and son of evangelist Eddie Villanueva, denied allegations that he is blocking debates on the proposed sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (Sogiesc) Equality Act.

In fact, in a press conference on Monday, Villanueva said he has “no problems debating with it.”

“The decision of the majority then is to look into it and discuss it with the rules committee—to those who say Joel Villanueva is the reason, why don’t you talk to other senators?” said Villanueva.

READ: Senate chief: Anti-discrimination bill has ‘better chance’ than Sogiesc

“Why don’t you talk to the majority of the members of the Senate? And say bring that out and bring it to the plenary. Because I have no problems debating with it. I have no problems raising the issues that I wanted to raise and the dangers of passing this very controversial measure,” he added.

According to the senator, he has nothing against the LGBT community.

“I am very close to a lot of the members of the LGBT community. Some of them—I get to see once every two weeks, once every month. I get to have fellowship with them, I laugh with them, I get to meet them. Most, if not all of them, are saying they are not defective—“We don’t need to be given very, very, very important treatment because we just wanted equality,” he said, quoting his friends.

Villanueva said the proposed Sogiesc Equality Act remains pending on the committee on rules because most senators wanted to “talk it over” and “there are serious concerns raised by a lot of sectors.”