Christian group holds protest against Anti-Discrimination Bill

Christian Coalition for Righteousness Justice and Truth (CCRJT) on Saturday gathered at the People Power Monument to protest the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill, also referred to as the Anti-Discrimination Bill. 

The monument was surrounded by streamers which read "YES TO FAMILY", "WE RESPECT LGBT, NO NEED FOR SOGIE BILL" and "WE LOVE LGBT, NO NEED FOR SOGIE BILL."

Christian Coalition for Righteousness Justice and Truth gathered at the People Power Monument Saturday afternoon to protest the SOGIE Bill | @gmanews pic.twitter.com/w2CIFdZVGp

— Aya Tantiangco ???? (@ayaruim) February 10, 2018

Flyers were also handed out, explaining the groups position.

CCRTJ questioned the existence of a "widespread, systemic" discimination against members of the LGBTQA+ community.

They also asked: "If there are incidences of discrimination, is the LGBT community not covered by our existing laws?"

CCRTJ claimed in their statement that the real intent of the SOGIE Bill is "to redefine and add to the original meaning of sex and gender" and that the passage of the bill will lead to the insitution of same-sex marriage in the Philippines.

The position of Christian Coalition for Righteousness Justice and Truth on the SOGIE Bill | @gmanews pic.twitter.com/ZB4xPFBus9

— Aya Tantiangco ???? (@ayaruim) February 10, 2018

The House of Representatives in September 2017 approved the SOGIE Bill on its third and final reading with a vote of 198 affirmative and zero in the negative.

The bill seeks to eliminate discriminatory practices based on sex and SOGIE by proscribing and penalizing several acts.

If passed, individuals who commit discriminator acts such as denial of access to public services, refusal of admission to educational institutions or groups, harassment, coercion and threats, among others will be slapped penalty of not less than P100,000 but not more than P500,000 or imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years, at the court's discretion.

The Senate's version of the bill, on the other hand, is still pending for second reading approval. — Aya Tantiangco, GMA News