Sotto Declares Anti-Discrimination Bill Has ‘No Chance’ Of Passing Senate
SOTTO – Senate President Vicente Sotto III told the reporters that the SOGIE bill, also known as Anti-discrimination bill, has ‘no chance’ of passing the senate.
One of the issues the Philippine Senate is facing today is about the bill Sen. Risa Hontiveros filed. The SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression) bill prohibits discrimination at business establishments.
Following a previous article, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte met the transgender woman who was involved in Quezon City mall incident, Gretchen Diez. The trans woman said her meeting with the chief executive was fruitful and teased a ‘surprise’ for LGBTQ+.
Malacañang Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the president told him that he’ in favor of building a separate room for the LGBTQ+ members. He also revealed said that Duterte is “very supportive “ of the SOGIE Bill.
However, Senate President Vicente Sotto II has a different take on the controversial restroom issue. He gave an update regarding the bill through a text message to the media.
Based on a report from ABS-CBN News, Sen. Vicente Sotto said the SOGIE bill will not pass the upper chamber. “Anti-discrimination on persons pwede. Pero focused on gays, which the SOGIE bill is, and religious and academic freedom impeded plus smuggling of same sex marriage? No chance!” he said.
According to the report, the 70-year-old senator believed that passing the bill could lead to the end of the academic freedoms and religion. The anti-discrimination bill passed in the House of Representative in 2017 unanimously.
“No chance!”
Senate President Tito Sotto said the SOGIE Equality bill will not pass in the upper chamber. https://t.co/HHRO3Bcx5E
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) August 21, 2019
The statement of the senate president elicited mixed reactions from the online community. Here are some of their comments from the post:
@therealearlson: “Thank you Tito Sen!!! huwag papadala sa pa-hype ng mga yan! they want respect?! EARN IT and GIVE IT!!! this news made my day!!!”
@dambelatung: “As far as I can see, ikaw lang naman walang respeto sa kapwa tao. Wala naman pong mali sa pagiging LGBTQ+ ang pagdedeprive lang ng rights ng mga tao ay mali.”
@tantanlig: “Tama yan Tito Sen. Kung gusto nila respeto ay respetohin muna nila sarili nila.”
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