EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE

Gov. D. Mangubat Ave., Brgy. Burol Main, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite 4114, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (046) 416-4339/41 www.eac.edu.ph
` SCHOOL OF TOURISM AND INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Why Is It Necessary for the Philippine Government to Pass the SOGIE Equality Bill

Is the country’s law enough for its people to be safe? The never-ending issue in the Philippines
about the protection of the members of LGBTQ+ still stands up to this day. There are countless stories of
individuals that could be told, and each of them exemplifies why the government should pass the SOGIE
Equality Bill. House Bill No. 4982 or “An Act Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation
or Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) and Providing Penalties Therefor” is the first of its kind in the
country. The late Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Akbayan Rep. Etta Rosales introduced the first
version of the SOGIE Equality Bill in the 11th Congress. It has been pending for nineteen years and is
finally being realized in the 17th Congress thanks to the tireless efforts of Bataan 1st District
Representative Geraldine Roman. While the bill still needs to be approved by the Senate, its passage in
the House is a significant victory for the LGBTQ++ community. The bill is intended to carry out the
rights enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, — in particular to the equal protection provision. It also
recognizes the Philippines' obligations under international law, specifically the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Despite these statements, many people
still find the SOGIE Bill unacceptable because they do not fully comprehend it. (Deslate, 2021)

A study by the United Nations (UN) reveals that 30 percent of the LGBTQIA+ community in the
Philippines reported being harassed, bullied, or discriminated against at the workplace. In comparison,
21 percent reported being denied a job because of their sexual orientation. The measure affirms that it is
everyone's fundamental right to be free from all forms of discrimination, regardless of their gender, age,
class, status, race, color, handicap, political and religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. The bill includes
a detailed list of discriminatory practices based on SOGIE. It aims to protect individuals and
communities who are subjected to human rights violations because of their SOGIE.

In addition, students in the Philippines have faced discrimination in school because of their
sexual orientation and gender identity. A place where a person should feel at ease and free to express
themselves because it is an institution where people are expected to behave and understand what is right
and wrong. Human Rights Watch executed in-depth interview sessions and discussions with 98 students
and 46 parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, service providers, and education experts in ten cities

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across Luzon and the Visayas. (Philippines: LGBT Students Face Bullying, Abuse, 2020) Existing
protections, according to LGBT students, are irregularly or incompletely implemented, and secondary
school policies and practices frequently facilitate discrimination and fail to provide LGBT students with
assistance and support. Discrimination is evident, and it has a significant impact on the well-being of
children. Policies on gender expression, masculinity testing, required haircuts, and other gender-
insensitive ideas were implemented rather than those that focus on the welfare of the students. Bigger
and more powerful laws must be enacted to safeguard students by limiting policies on uniform
restrictions, refused admission, expulsion, or anything else that prevents them from obtaining education
and training.

Prejudice and hate crimes against the transgender community are not uncommon in the
Philippines. The story of Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman killed by US Marine Corps Joseph Scott
Pemberton in 2014, exemplifies the importance of passing and enforcing the SOGIE Equality Bill,
which again will protect the basic rights of individuals of diversified sexual orientation, gender identity,
and expression. Even after the heinous crime he committed, Pemberton received an absolute pardon
from the president himself, President Rodrigo Duterte, last year. It shows that there is an occurrence of a
grave denial of justice for Laude, her family, and the LGBTQ+ Community. In the meantime, transexual
students continue to face stereotypical and stigmatizing rules imposed by schools, universities, and
colleges. Transgender people are frequently subjected to harassment at work in both public, and private
spaces.

As stated in the arguments provided, the LGBTQ+ community continues to face stressors such as
discrimination, exclusion, and gender-based violence. According to Prof. Hadji Balajadia of Ateneo De
Davao University's Department of Psychology, "Their potentials and well-being are shattered and
shaken." Undoubtedly, the SOGIE Bill will provide a safe space for students and adults to express their
identities rather than hiding in the closet due to doubts about others' validation and acceptance. People
should not tolerate homophobia, stereotyping, or discrimination. Presently, we stand in solidarity with
the LGBTQ+ community for equality, justice, and a safe space. A Transgender Day of Remembrance is
not only about remembering the victims; it is also about addressing the underlying causes of such
atrocities and ensuring that such crimes do not occur once more in future generations. Speaking up will
not make you less of a person; rather, it is an opportunity that should not be missed. Amidst the country's

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 EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE
Gov. D. Mangubat Ave., Brgy. Burol Main, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite 4114, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (046) 416-4339/41 www.eac.edu.ph
` SCHOOL OF TOURISM AND INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

issues and tribulations, the LGBTQ+ community proceeds to celebrate the Metro Manila Pride March
and Festival. Throughout the month of June, the organization organized a variety of events to honor the
LGBTQ+ community.

Reference List:
Deslate, M. J. (2021, June 30). The SOGIE Equality Bill. DivinaLaw. Retrieved October 10, 2022, from

https://www.divinalaw.com/news-and-updates/sogie-equality-bill/

Rugay, C. (2022, June 28). SOGIE Bill And Things You Need To Know. Politico.ph. Retrieved October

10, 2022, from https://politico.ph/sogie-bill-and-things-you-need-to-know/

Philippines: LGBT Students Face Bullying, Abuse. (2020, October 28). Human Rights Watch. Retrieved

October 10, 2022, from https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/06/21/philippines-lgbt-students-face-

bullying-abuse

Rio, S. J. (2020). Sogie Bill Position Paper - Why shouldn’t you say “no” to the SOGIE Bill? Countless

stories of. Retrieved from StuDocu website: https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/polytechnic-

university-of-the-philippines/management-accounting/sogie-bill-position-paper/15936571

Sogie BILL. (2018). StuDocu; StuDocu. https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/icct-colleges-

foundation/bs-public-administration/sogie-bill/30847723
‌Arias, J. (2019, August 30). Understanding what SOGIE means and why it matters. Preen.ph. Retrieved

October 10, 2022, from https://preen.ph/99945/understanding-what-sogie-means-and-why-it-

matters

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