MANILA – Malacañang will leave it up to the Congress whether they would prioritize the passage of civil union law for same-sex couples after it was personally endorsed by Pope Francis.
Following the pope’s pronouncement, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Catholic lawmakers “no longer have a basis” to refuse for the passage of the controversial measure.
“It has always been supported by the President (Rodrigo Duterte), depende na lang sa Congress,” Roque said during a virtual press conference on Thursday.
“Depende na lang iyan sa prioridad ng Kongreso,” he added. “Pero with no less than the Pope supporting it, I think even the most conservative of all Catholics in Congress should no longer have a basis for objecting.”
While he previously opposed same-sex marriage, Pope Francis said he backs civil unions to ensure same-sex couples can be legally recognized.
Meanwhile, Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez and Bagong Henerasyon Partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera are hopeful that more would support pending legislations for same-sex civil unions in the country.
Alvarez was the author of House Bill 2264 or the Civil Partnership Act while Herrera has sponsored House Bill No. 1357 or the Civil Partnership Act.
“Our LGBT brothers and sisters deserve to have protections, under the law, for their respective union with the person they choose to be their life partner,” Alvarez said. “I hope our colleagues in both chambers of Congress will be enlightened too.”
“This is a good opportunity to reignite, once more, the conversation about the realities of existing relationships and the need to have a legal framework for this kind of human relations,” he added.
“The public support of Pope Francis for the enactment of civil union laws could be exactly the impetus needed so that opposition to the civil partnership bill will melt away,” Herrera said.
Same-sex marriage is legal in 28 countries including Australia, Britain, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, United States, among others.
Drives for same-sex marriage in the Philippines have faced stiff opposition from some religious groups./PN
