Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) – A bill that allows same-sex and opposite sex couples to enter into a civil partnership was refiled in Congress for the third time, Davao del Norte 1st District Representative Pantaleon Alvarez said Tuesday.
According to its explanatory note, House Bill (HB) 6782 or the Civil Partnership Act authored by Alvarez “aims to be a landmark effort to provide civil rights, benefits, and responsibilities to couples, previously unable to marry, by giving them due recognition and protection from the state.”
Civil partnership is defined as a legal relationship between two persons, of either the same or opposite sex.\r
The bill stressed the need to provide basic civil rights to couples who are not eligible for marriage under the law.\r
“There is definitely an absence of legal framework for those who do not fit traditional marriages. Let’s think about them too,” Alvarez said.\r
“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?” he added.\r
Alvarez is referring to beneficiaries under social security and insurance plans that same-sex couples are restricted to declare because of legalities.\r
Under HB 6782, all benefits and protections granted to married couples under existing laws will also be given to civil partners.\r
This bill will also strengthen traditional marriages as couples can opt for a civil partnership instead of forcing themselves into marriage, Alvarez added.\r
Previous versions of the bill reached the stage of referral to the concerned committee for deliberations but none of them moved towards second and third reading in the lower chamber.\r
In August 2022, Senator Robin Padilla filed the Senate Bill 449 or the Civil Unions Act which 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 given by the state.\r
