Vice President Sara Duterte | PHOTO: Official Facebook apge of Inday Sara Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte said on Tuesday that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community “will always have a friend” in the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
Duterte made this statement during the annual OVP Pride Reception event in Cagayan de Oro City, where 20 LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs received P15,000 each from the office’s “Mag Negosyo ta ‘Day” program.
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“Sabi ko nga, hindi man kayo tanggap ng senado, you will always have a friend in the Office of the Vice President,” she said in her speech.
The SOGIESC, or sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics bill, was approved by the Senate committees on women and finance, but it remains pending at the committee on rules.
Eighteen out of 24 members of the Senate have already signed a committee report on the bill.
In her speech, the vice president also emphasized that Pride Month is not just a celebration but a crucial opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community.
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“Pride is not just about celebration; it is also about education and advocacy. It is about raising awareness about the issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community and working together to create a more inclusive and compassionate society,” she said.
“We must continue to support initiatives that promote understanding, provide protection against discrimination, and ensure equal opportunities for all,” she added.
Duterte further highlighted that it is a “collective responsibility” to ensure that every Filipino, regardless of their sexual orientation, experiences “freedom, respect, and acceptance.”
“We acknowledge that while we have made significant strides, there are still challenges to overcome. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every Filipino can experience the freedom, respect, and acceptance they deserve,” the vice president said.