Same-sex marriage faces rough sailing in congress

 

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Manila, Philippines --- There is no way for the same-sex marriage proposal to prosper in the 16th Congress.

Quezon City Rep. Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr., who is expected to remain as Speaker, stressed this yesterday, saying there is "no chance" for the measure to get the nod of the incoming House leadership.
"We're not ready for it, I am against (it) myself," he said, citing the sanctity of marriage as provided for under the Family Code.
Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo also thumbed down the controversial legislation that has been opposed to by the Catholic Church hierarchy.
"It will be impossible to pass it this (16th) Congress or in next three Congresses. Filipinos are generally conservative and same-sex marriage in the Philippines is a big no," he said.
"Let us work for the preservation of the holiness and sacredness of marriage. The holy matrimony is an exclusive relationship of a man and a woman. Let us promote stability than spark debates," Quimbo said.
Belmonte and Quimbo were quick to clarify that their opposition to the same-sex marriage proposal does not mean that they are anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT).
At least two anti-discrimination bills have been filed this 16th Congress. They were authored by Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr., the chairman of the House Committee on National Cultural Communities, during the 15th Congress and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.
Gabriela party-list Rep. Luz Ilagan, who authored the Filipino-style divorce bill in the previous Congress, expressed her group's readiness to file the bill "when the right time comes."

She said they are now busy drafting a measure seeking to legalize divorce in the country. Among the bills that are expected to be pushed by Gabriela include a proposal amending the anti-rape law, an anti-violence against women measure, a bill increasing maternity leave benefits, as well as a bill seeking to repeal expanded value-added tax