FIRST: There is no need to pass these proposed bills given that there are already many existing laws

that
safeguard the rights of every citizen against discrimination: (1) The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the
Philippines, (2) Presidential Decree No. 442 “Labor Code of the Philippines,” (3) Republic Act No. 386 “Civil
Code of the Philippines,” (4) Republic Act No. 3019 “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” (5) Republic Act
No. 6713 “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,” (6) Republic Act No.
3815 “The Revised Penal Code of the Philippines,” (7) Republic Act No. 7877 “Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of
1995,” including the (8) Universal Declaration of Human Rights. There are victims of discrimination for being
ilocano or kapampangan or bisaya, but do we need an Anti-Ilokano or Anti-Kapampangan or Anti-Bisaya
Discrimination Act? There are victims of discrimination because of their height, but do we need an Anti-Short
Stature Discrimination Act? There are victims of discrimination because they are fat, but do we need an Anti-
Obese Discrimination Act? These existing laws ensure that any form of discrimination is avoided. There is no
need for additional laws in this regard. Republic Act No. 9710 “The Magna Carta of Women” is in no way
similar to any of the proposed bills on Anti-SOGI Discrimination. While this law affirms the rights of women
and seeks to eliminate discrimination, it does not impose penalties that foster a sense of entitlement and undue
advantage.

SECOND: We do not need an Anti-Discrimination or SOGIE Equality law because Filipinos are inherently
accepting of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders. Our society is innately tolerant of LGBTs. Proof of this
would be the many Filipino LGBTs who are very successful in their respective fields: business, trade, media,
education, fashion, healthcare, law, I.T., science and technology, arts, show business and even politics. The
election of the honorable representative of the first district of Bataan, Rep. Geraldine B. Roman, is yet another
validation. The Philippines has also consistently been recognized as one of the gay-friendly countries in the
world and one of the gay-friendliest in Asia. In many households and families all over the country, LGBTs are
accepted and loved, with many serving as primary breadwinners and caregivers. As an LGBT, I never
experienced discrimination growing up, whether in school or at work. I can say that I am where I am now
because of hard work, discipline, God-given intelligence and prayers.

THIRD: These proposed bills, when enacted into law, may be used as instruments to stifle or violate our
freedom of religion and freedom to live out our faith. Allow me to elaborate by posing these questions: What
will happen to a seminary or convent that will uphold Church laws by refusing admission to a transgender who
wants to study and become a priest or nun? What will happen to parishes and Catholic universities that will not
allow or recognize LGBT organizations in keeping with their mandate to abide by Church doctrines? What will
happen to “all boys” or “all girls” Catholic schools that will not accept transgender children as students because
this would go against the catechism they teach? What will happen to Catholic and Christian offices or
companies like bookstores, travel agencies, radio stations, television networks or religious organizations that
will not hire LGBT employees because it violates their faith-based beliefs? What will happen to a Muslim school
(madrasah) that pledges obedience to the Quran and hadith and will not enrol transgender students who desire
to be an imam? What will happen to a Jewish school that will not accept LGBT students applying to be a rabbi
since Orthodox Judaism prohibits it? What will happen to churches of other denominations that will not
employ LGBTs as pastors in compliance with their biblical beliefs? In all of these possible scenarios, the
proposed bills may be used to take legal action against churches, mosques, temples, religious communities and
faith-based organizations resulting in fines of up to 500,000 pesos or imprisonment of up to 6 years.
Proponents of the bill have always asserted that ensuring non-discrimination for LGBTs on the basis of their
sexual orientation and gender identity will not diminish or encroach on the rights of others. But the penal
provisions of the proposed law say otherwise. Surely, we cannot expect the followers of the great religious
traditions of the world to change their doctrines to accommodate a law that will violate their fundamental right
to freely practice the very religion that they uphold. Forcing organized religion to set aside or modify its tenets
is as absurd as forcing LGBTs to change their sexual orientation and gender identity.

For gays to insist using female cr is also an infringement of the rights of females to say NO.