By Dominique Simone R. Saraspi

Several netizens, particularly members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their advocates, criticized a proposed bill, as they claimed that it is a “joke of a law”.

This came after Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. proposed House Bill (HB) No. 5717, Wednesday, November 9, to “safeguard heterosexual rights” in practicing and expressing their religion, views, and opinions toward the members of the LGBTQIA+.

Named as the Act Recognizing, Defining, and Protecting the Rights of Heterosexuals and for Other Purpose, HB 5717 sets a punishment for those who violate the law, penalizing violators with a monetary fine of at least Php 100, 000 and seven years of imprisonment.

In the explanatory note of the bill, Abante argued that the LGBTQIA+ are “in contravention of God’s law of creation and procreation”.

Hence, he urged the country to focus the protection of the rights of heterosexuals who are “the actual creations of God”.

In relation to this, several netizens, including television icon KaladKaren, questioned the essence of HB 5717, as they believe heterosexual men and women are “not underrepresented in society” so the creation of the proposed bill is “unnecessary”.

“Giving equal rights to the LGBTQIA+ community does not mean fewer rights for others. It’s not a pie. How can they grant this ‘Heterosexual Act’ when heteros aren’t really oppressed,” KaladKaren said. 

Meanwhile,  Reyna Valmores, the chairperson of Bahaghari—a national-democratic LGBTQ+ organization in the Philippines—criticized the bill and said that it is a “waste of resources, space, and time that could have been spent on addressing actual concerns of Filipinos facing discrimination and violence.”

Moreover, Commission on Human Rights’ Centers for Gender Equality & Women’s Human Rights asserted that the country needs to add more laws focusing on upholding the minority’s rights, such as the LGBTQIA+ members, to acknowledge and address the “true issue” of marginalization and discrimination.

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