Geraldine Roman believes civil partnership bills could move forward under Velasco's speakership

Bataan Representative Geraldine Roman is optimistic the civil partnership bills pending at the House of Representatives could soon move forward under the leadership of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, whom she believes is "open-minded" about the controversial measure.

Roman made the remark on Sunday after Pope Francis himself expressed support for same-sex civil unions.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview, Roman, the first trans woman lawmaker in the country, said the passage of a measure depends, among other factors, on the sitting House leadership.

She pointed out that during the term of former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, the civil partnership bill moved forward as he himself is an advocate of it, but it stalled under the term of former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, whom she describes as "conservative."

"Pero sa panahon ni Speaker Lord Allan Velasco na isang napakabatang Speaker who I believe is open-minded and very compassionate naman, palagay ko, I'm very optimistic na medyo pag-uusapan na iyan sa Committee on Women and Gender Equality kung saan ang inyong lingkod ay bahagi," she added.

Two measures proposing civil partnership for same-sex couples as well as straight couples who do not believe in marriage are filed at the House: House Bill 1357 by Bagong Henerasyon party-list Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy, and House Bill 2264 by Alvarez.

Under House Bill 2264, for one, all benefits and protections as granted to spouses in a marriage under existing laws, administrative orders, court rulings, or those derived as a matter of public policy will also be enjoyed by civil partnership couples.

At the same time, laws on marital relations, including donations by reason of marriage, legal separation, adoption, child custody and support, property division and maintenance, and spousal support, will also apply to civil partnership couples. 

Roman believes that the Pope's support would give a strong push for the pending measures on civil partnership despite the opposition of some groups.

"Sana mabuksan din ang kanilang mga utak at mga puso na sa katotohanan na ang mga LGBT ay, number one, anak ng Diyos, may karapatan silang magkaroon ng pamilya, at pangatlo, dapat makatanggap sila ng legal protection sa pamamagitan ng civil union or civil partnership," she said.

Roman also told detractors that no provision in the pending measures obligates them to contract civil partnership.

"Ito lang ang mensahe ko sa inyo: Live and let live. Be happy and let others be happy," she added. —KG, GMA News