On Valentine's Day, Rep. Alvarez renews push for civil partnership for same-sex couples

Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez has marked this year’s Valentine’s Day by renewing his call to support his bill establishing Civil Partnership for both opposite and same-sex couples.

Alvarez made the proposal under House 6728, which he filed for the third consecutive Congress despite it not gaining ground the first two times around.

“Who knows, it can be strike three, or it can be third time’s the charm,” he said.

Under Alvarez’s proposal, civil partnership is defined as a legal relationship between two persons of either the same or opposite sex.

The bill likewise provides that civil partnership couples may fix their property relations by executing a pre-civil partnership agreement in writing, with a statement of assets annexed signed by both parties and contained in a public instrument.

Civil partnership couples may also choose between the system of absolute community of property, conjugal partnership of gains, separation of property, whether total or partial, or any other regime, as provided for in the Family Code of the Philippines.

Such regimes will govern their right to own, dispose of, possess, administer and enjoy properties, subject to modifications, which are not contrary to law, morals, good custom, public order, or public policy, given the nature of their partnership.

Moreover, the bill states that any stipulation or agreement that is inimical to the interest of the civil partnership relative to sustenance and support for medical treatment, dwelling, food, clothing, and other needs of the couple, or adversely affects the right of children to receive support, will be automatically declared void.

“There is definitely an absence of legal framework for those who do not fit traditional marriages. Let’s think about them too,” Alvarez said.

Under existing law, a marriage can only be administered between a man and a woman. Alvarez, however, said same-sex couples should also be allowed to enjoy benefits of married couples.

“We allow traditional relationships to have that benefit, that opportunity, but how about others who can’t get married? Why should we deprive them of the opportunity to be a witness to, and being witnessed in return, by their special someone?” Alvarez said.

Having the option of civil partnership, Alvarez said, will also benefit opposite sex couples in the process.

“Those who really want to get married are those who will get married. While those who don’t want marriage, they need not force themselves into a marriage. They can opt for a Civil Partnership instead,” he said. —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA Integrated News