Vice President Sara Duterte declared on Friday her support on the enactment of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) Equality bill.
Speaking during the 1st Office of the Vice President (OVP) - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Pride Reception, Duterte mentioned the growing "systemic discrimination" against the LGBTQIA+members.
She said that the queer members continue to "experience obstacles when attempting to access funds, licenses, produce sales, hire staff, or obtain insurance."
"While we patiently wait for the passage of the SOGIE bill, patiently pa ba ang waiting natin dito? Ang sasabihin ko na lang dito ay good things take time," Duterte said.
"But we have advocates in the government kasama na ako na sa inyo na [sumusuporta sa] paghahanap ng batas for protection," Duterte added.
Last May 14, the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality approved SOGIESC Equality bill.
However, the version of the bill was set back in Senate as this was returned to the House committee panel headed by Senator Joel Villanueva.
The SOGIESC bill aims to ban discrimination against people on the grounds and factors such as age, racial or ethnic origin, religious belief or activity, political inclination or conviction, social class, economic status, marital or relationship status, disability, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status, health status or medical history, language, physical features, or other status shall be considered a discriminatory practice.
During the same event, Duterte provided Magnegosyo Ta Day livelihood assistance worth ₱150,000 to three selected LGBTQIA+ and one women's organization.
She lauded the hard work demonstrated by queer members.
"Hindi niyo hinahayaan na ang inyong pamilya ay magutom. Marami sa inyo ay bread winners kahit na mahirap ang buhay. Sa kabilang banda, meron kayong kakayahan na mapagaan ito," the Vice President said.
