Gender equality ‘guaranteed’ in PH Constitution
NO less than the Philippine Constitution is clear on this: There is “no room” in the Philippines for gender-based discrimination against anyone.
This was stressed Monday by Senator Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla at the hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality and the Committee on Finance.
Padilla cited the Preamble of the 1987 Constitution, where the sovereign Filipino people expressed their intent to build a just and humane society and establish a government that shall embody their ideals and aspirations – as well as secure for themselves and future generations the blessings of independence and democracy “under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace.”
Addressing the committee chair, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Padilla stressed that the “Constitution is clear that there is no favoring of one gender over another and that all Filipinos are equal, not only in the eyes of God but also in the eyes of the law.”
“Napakalinaw po doon, Mahal na Tagapangulo, na wala pong sinabi ditong kasarian. Wala tayong pinipiling kasarian. Ang sinasabi po rito sa panimula ng ating Konstitusyon na lahat po tayong mga Pilipino ay pantay-pantay. Hindi lamang po sa mata ng Panginoong Diyos kundi sa mata ng batas ng tao,” Padilla said.
Padilla likewise voiced full support for Hontiveros’ opening statement that Filipinos are equal, saying no less than the basic law of the land says so.
