Duterte supports gays, but won’t push same-sex marriage

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte expressed support yesterday for the gay community when asked about his stand on same-sex marriage in the Philippines.

“Bakla ako noon. Well, I said I have nothing to do with the sexual predilections of my fellow human beings. God must be kind to all. So, I never believe that God intended them to be that way,” Duterte said.

Duterte, who confessed to have gay friends and relatives, said that his heart is very soft towards gay people as they were created by God, and that all human beings were created in the image of God.

Asked if he will push for legalizing same sex marriage if elected president, he said that he would not push for it, citing the civil code of the Philippines, which is based on universally accepted Christian tenets.

He said that marriage is a holy union only for a man and a woman.

On issues pertaining to divorce and abortion, Duterte said that he will not support them as they have an “injuring effect” on families, but said that he would push for family planning.

In fact, he said that he is providing contraceptives in Davao City.

“Divorce and abortion, enduring kasi ang sugat ng divorce just like abortion. I said I am for family planning, but I would not tolerate abortion because there is already a human being inside the womb,” he said.

Duterte and his running mate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano have vowed to step down – if they are elected – once they fail to fix the country’s peace and order situation, get rid of illegal drugs and stamp out corruption in government within six months of holding office.

Speaking before students and faculty members of the De La Salle University in Manila for #The Leader I Want Forum 2016 organized by Rappler, Cayetano said Duterte should be given a shot at the presidency as he also assured the audience that he would make good on his promises.

Of the candidates for president and vice president invited to the forum, only Cayetano and Duterte arrived. Senatorial bets Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares and lawyer Lorna Kapunan also attended the forum.