Senators lauded for approving report on SOGIESC bill

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has commended the 19 senators who signed the report of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, recommending the passage of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression and Sex Characteristics or SOGIESC Equality bill.

The CHR said the Senate’s recommendation of the passage of the measure was a significant progress, noting that during the previous Congress, only eight senators signed the committee report on a similar bill.

The CHR reminded lawmakers that it is the state’s primary obligation to “value the dignity of every Filipino and to provide equal protection of laws to all, upholding the right to equality and non-discrimination.”

“To fulfill these duties, it is crucial to recognize the disproportionate violence and discrimination faced by lesbians, gays bisexuals, transgender, queer, and intersex or LGBTQI community across different sectors,” it added.

Under bill filed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the government is mandated to address all forms of discrimination and violence on the basis of SOGIESC.

The bill imposes a penalty of up to two years in prison and fines ranging from P100,000 to P300,000 or both, depending on the nature and gravity of the offense.

Those who signed the committee report recommending the passage of the bill were Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel and Senators Sonny Angara, Imee Marcos, Nancy Binay, Cynthia Villar, Mark Villar, Ronald dela Rosa, Grace Poe, Francis Tolentino, JV Ejercito, Raffy Tulfo, Robinhood Padilla, Jinggoy Estrada, Chiz Escudero, Loren Legarda, Lito Lapid, Bong Go and Bong Revilla.