Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 11) — Senator Robin Padilla filed a bill seeking to institutionalize the civil union of same-sex couples in the country.
In filing Senate Bill 449 or the Civil Unions Act, Padilla cited every Filipinos’ right to equal protection as stated in the 1987 Constitution.
“Philippine laws affirm that every person has the right to equal protection before the law and while the 1987 Constitution does not explicitly mention Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), it does not prohibit or exclude civil partnerships or unions of same-sex couples,” the neophyrte legislator said in the bill’s explanatory note.
He also mentioned that same-sex marriage or civil unions have been legalized in 31 countries or territories but the Philippines still has no “legislative measures to afford equal rights and privileges for same-sex couples that is enjoyed by different-sex couples.”
“This proposed measure therefore seeks to recognize the civil union between two persons of the same or opposite sex to be able to enjoy the rights, protection, and privileges afforded in this bill,” Padilla said.
“It is high time that the Philippines provides equal rights and recognition for couples of the same sex with no prejudice as to sexual relationships are protected and recognized and given access to basic social protection and security,” he added.
Under the bill, a civil union will only be valid if the following requirements are present:
– Legal capacity of contracting parties (at least 18 years old; not prohibited to enter into civil union by reason of public policy; free from any previous bond of marriage or civil union)
– Consent freely given in the presence of the administering officer
– Authority of the administering officer
– A valid license to contract or enter into a civil union issued by and obtained from the local civil registrar of the city or municipality where either party habitually resides
– A civil union ceremony which takes place with the personal appearance of the contracting parties before the administering officer and their personal declaration in the presence of not less than two witnesses of legal age
