Pacquiao argues vs. anti-discrimination bill: Bible does not allow cross-dressing

Senator Manny Pacquiao on Monday argued against a legislative proposal prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity, including a person’s manner of clothing.

In his interpellation on the bill filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros, Pacquiao said the Bible does not allow cross-dressing.

“Even in the Bible, we can read na ang babae, dapat magsuot na pambabae; at ang lalaki, magsuot ng panlalaki. That’s what I believe,” Pacquiao told Hontiveros.

Senate Bill 1271 seeks to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression (SOGIE).

Pacquiao said cross-dressing may be used to “commit fraud” as he cited the case of Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman who was killed by US Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton in 2014.

Pemberton said he choked Laude to death after learning that she was a transgender.

“Ano ba gagawin natin diyan na nagdamit babae yung lalaki tapos nabigla yung lalaki na ‘lalaki ka pala’ eh pinatay?” Pacquiao said.

“Doon pa lang, makikita natin yung deception na naloko si Pemberton at sumama siya doon,” he added.

Hontiveros said Pacquiao should not resort to victim-blaming.

“Si Jennifer ay nanamit kasunod ng kanyang sexual orientation at gender identity at gender expression. Siya ay naging totoo sa kanyang pagkatao. Ang nagka-krimen diyan ay si Pemberton,” Hontiveros said.

She said there are already existing laws on sexual harassment, unjust vexation, fraud and acts of voyeurism.

“Kailanman hindi katanggap-tangap na depensa sa krimen yung ganyang pananakit at pagpatay sa isang kapwa tao,” Hontiveros said. —JST, GMA News