Some presidential bets okay with civil union, but say no to same-sex marriage

Three contenders for the presidency affirmed respect for the rights of the members of the LGBTQ+ community, but expressed opposition to marriage between the same sex.

On CNN’s Presidential Debate Sunday, Senator Manny Pacquiao Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Panfilo Lacson said they are all against the discrimination of the LGBTQ+.

"Kailangan maging pantay tayo, pare-pareho tayo sa bansa natin na walang pinaboboran, anumang klase kang tao. Pero 'yung sinasabi natin na pagdating sa same sex-marriage against po ako diyan," Pacquiao said.

"Pagdating sa kanilang personal na buhay, personal na pagdedesisyon, hindi natin sila mapipigil, mapipilit. 'Yung atin lamang po ay paalala dahil hindi natin sasang-ayunan kung ano 'yung paniniwala,” he explained

"Kasi mahirap naman 'yung pipilitin mo 'yung sarili para sang-ayunan sila na nagkasala ka naman sa Panginoon. Importante talaga may Panginoon din tayo sa buhay dahil kung walang Panginoon wala tayong magagawa," Pacquiao added.

Robredo said she was one of the authors of the anti-discrimination bill as a member of the 16th Congress.

“Naniniwala po ako na dapat sila bigyan ng pagkakataon na ma-enjoy ang karapatan ng ineenjoy ng iba. I am for civil union. Agree po ako kay Pope Francis na may karapatang lumigaya kahit sino, hindi sila dapat parusahan for the choices they make. Dapat siguraduhin na hindi sila nadidiscriminate upon, that all opportunities should be available for them,” Robredo said.

Lacson echoed Robredo’s stand that the members of the community should not be discriminated.

“May karapatan din sila maging ordinaryo na katulad natin… [mga] heterosexual… na kung ano ang enjoyment natin, kung ano ang pribilehiyo natin sa buhay, bigyan din natin sila ng equal na oportunidad at pribilehiyo,” he said.

(They also have the right to be ordinary just like the heterosexuals. The privileges that we enjoy should also be given to them. Let us give them equal opportunity and privileges.)

“So ‘yon malinaw sa akin yon (I am clear on this) civil union, yes. Same-sex marriage, no,” Lacson said.—LDF, GMA News