Duterte announces plan to certify SOGIE bill as urgent

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte answers queries from the members of the media following the oath-taking ceremony of the officers of the Malacañang Press Corps, Presidential Photojournalists Association, and Malacañang Cameramen Association at the Malacañan Palace on September 10, 2019. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Wanting to make members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community to be “happy,” President Rodrigo Duterte said he will certify as urgent the proposed Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) Equality bill.

In an interview with reporters in Malacañang on Tuesday, September 10, the President was asked if he will certify the bill, which he answered in the affirmative.

“Whatever would make the mechanisms of… What — what would make them happy,” Duterte said.

“Gusto ko kagaya kay — kay Senator [Juan Ponce] Enrile — gusto ko happy siya (Just like Senator Enrile, I want them to be happy),” he added, referring to the former Senate President’s election campaign slogan.

A lot of Filipinos have pushed for the passage of the bill that will protect members of the LGBTQ+ community from any discriminatory acts, following an incident involving the 28-year-old transgender woman Gretchen Diez who was barred from using a female comfort room on a mall in Quezon City last month.

A few days after the incident, Diez met with the Chief Executive in the Palace. In a phone interview with Rappler, Diez said their meeting lasted for about 40 minutes wherein they discussed “my issue of discrimination, and the possible passing of [the] SOGIE bill,” adding that there will also be a “surprise.”

The SOGIE Equality bill passed on the third and final reading by the House of Representatives during the 17th Congress but its counterpart measure at the Senate experienced delays during the interpellation period.

Not SOGIE bill

On Wednesday, September 11, Senate President “Tito” Sotto III made a clarification, saying that Duterte will certify as urgent an anti-discrimination bill but not exactly the SOGIE Equality bill.

In a text message sent to reporters, Sotto said, “I am told the President is not certifying the SOGIE bill. He is willing to certify an anti-discrimination bill sans LGBT issues. A general anti-discrimination bill like the Davao ordinance.”

“Anti-discrimination bill ang sabi sa akin (is what was told to me). Ask ES [Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea] and [Senator Christopher] Bong Go,” he added.

His remarks were echoed by Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

“The SOGIE bill, as is, will not make it even if the President certifies the Hontiveros version,” Sotto said, referring to Senator Risa Hontiveros who refiled the bill at the 18th Congress.

“Remember separation of powers?” he said, continuing, “Did we pass the death penalty bill certified urgent last congress? Did we pass TRAIN 2 certified urgent? You all know the answers.”

Sotto earlier said the bill has “no chance” of passing in the upper chamber, saying they may rather pass an anti-discrimination bill that includes other sectors of the society.

[READ: Sotto: ‘No chance’ SOGIE bill will be approved in Senate]