First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos is confident that President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. will likely pass the proposed advisory board or commission centered on the needs of the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and more (LGBTQ+) community.
"Knowing my husband, I'm sure he will grant the wish because he knows that you all campaigned for him and he wouldn't be there without you guys," the first lady confidently said during a meeting with LGBT Pilipinas in Malacañang.
"So thank you very much. I think it's our way of giving back to those who helped him in the election," she added.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), LGBT Pilipinas, a national alliance of queer organizations, networks, and allied groups, made the proposal to push for "more visibility and representation in the bureaucracy."
Once approved, the Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs will be under the Office of the President.
The President, who is also in the same meeting, did not specifically comment on the proposal but rather vowed to protect the LGBTQIA+ community against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression (SOGIE).
"We in the Philippines ay ang habol lang naman talaga natin [what we want] is that everybody is treated not for any other thing, not for race, not for creed, not for orientation, but just as Filipinos," Marcos told LGBT Pilipinas.
"As long as we stay true to the idea, that basta Pinoy — Pinoy ‘yan, eh. Wala nang ano ‘yan. No questions asked. That’s it. We should all be treated the same. That’s what we’re continuing to try to do," he assured.
Coinciding with Pride month, several activities have been held last June 24 to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community in the country.
Despite remaining mum on his stand on the decade-long SOGIESC Equality Bill, Marcos, in a statement, assured that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and more (LGBTQ+) community will be free of discrimination and that their rights will be respected under his administration.
