Ice, wife Liza back Sen. Robin’s same-sex bill
SENATOR Robinhood C. Padilla yesterday said his Senate bill upholding the rights of same-sex couples including civil union is gaining support from no other than Ice Seguerra and wife Liza Dino.
Artist Ice Seguerra and wife Liza Dino stressed that just like other Filipino couples, same-sex couples in the Philippines want to avail of rights given by the state to all normal Filipino couples – such as the right to inheritance, adoption and social security and insurance benefits.
“Gusto lang naming mabuhay nang normal tulad ng ibang couples sa Pilipinas. We are citizens of this country and I think it is our right to be afforded these civil rights, very basic civil rights,” Liza said in an interview on DZRJ radio Friday.
“Ang basic talaga sa akin, owning of property, recognizing ang aming mag-carry ng last names, adoption rights, social benefits,” dagdag niya.
Liza said it is important that same-sex couples like her and Ice be afforded rights that are not special but those granted to all citizens of the country.
“Hirap kasi, doon mo na-realize hindi kami puwede mag-own ng properties together. So lahat ng pinag-ipunan naming dalawa nasa pangalan niya, wala sa pangalan ko,” she said.
For his part, Ice said he respects other churches and religions, but asked that his and Liza’s status as citizens of the country also be respected.
“We respect the churches, we respect the different religions against us. Wala kaming magagawa doon. But please respect us also as citizens of this country na karapat-dapat kaming may karapatan na proteksyunan ng batas sa bansang ito at ‘yan sinusulong ni Sen. Robin,” he said.
“I appreciate Sen. Robin because of course we all know he’s a very devout Muslim. Pero para sa akin, that marks a good public servant. It’s so easy to have biases because of religion,” Ice added.
Also, Ice said it is painful for him not to be able to adopt Liza’s 14-year-old daughter. He said he and Liza had to argue with immigration officers abroad because they are not considered a family.
“They don’t see us as a family, for them we’re just two people with a young person,” said Ice.
Ice thanked Padilla for fighting for the rights of all Filipinos with his bill. He said same-sex couples are marginalized such that while they are successful in their work, they are still treated as second-class citizens because they are denied certain rights.
“Nakakataba ng puso. It gives me comfort there’s someone like him in the Senate who’s really willing to fight for the rights of everyone in this country,” aniya.
Meanwhile, Ice and Liza said they are ready to go around the country if needed to take part in discussions on the issue. “More than anything we want everyone to understand and be on board with this,” said Ice.
Under Padilla’s Senate Bill 449, same-sex couples are granted rights such as those to civil union, adoption, and social security and insurance benefits.
A fine of P1 million or jail term of up to 10 years awaits those who refuse to issue civil union licenses or certificates, and those who engage in discrimination at work.
