Senator Robinhood Padilla

Robin: Read, don’t judge, my bill on same-sex civil union

August 14, 2022 PS Jun M. Sarmiento 294 views

Senator open to discussions, debates

WITH the controversy stirred by his proposed senate bill allowing the civil union of same sexes, Sen. Robinhood C. Padilla invited the public to read the contents of the bill, instead of judging it adding that a healthy exchange of ideas about the bill are all part of the country’s vibrant democracy.

Padilla said he is open to free discussions and debates on his Senate Bill 449 seeking to uphold the rights of same-sex couples under our Constitution.

Senate Bill 449 will go through the proper processes, he stressed, including hearings at the committee and plenary levels of the Senate, where groups for and against the bill can air their thoughts.

He emphasized that as a senator of the Republic, he has to act without drama nor favor to anyone, as every citizen is equal under the Constitution. He invited everyone to read the bill thoroughly and join in the debates without prejudgment.

“Bilang senador ng buong bansa na kanilang pinagkatiwalaan na iboto rin at lapitan, kailangan ko ito aksyunan nang walang drama. Malinaw po sa aking mandato na wala akong pipiliin na panigan o pakinggan, ” Padilla said on his Facebook account Sunday.

“Ang lahat ay pantay-pantay. Ang lahat ay may puwang sa ating Saligang Batas. Ang panukala po na ito ay dadaan sa napakahabang proseso ng pagdinig kaya’t ano man po ang inyong hinaing, mainam po na ihanda ang sarili at inyong organisasyon at makiisa po sa debate sa pagdinig nito,” he added.

“Ang lahat po ay iniimbitahan na basahin ng detalyado ang panukalang batas upang mas makalahok sa talakayan patungkol dito. Huwag na muna po tayo maghusga. Masyado pa po maaga para magkaroon ng judge,” he said.

Padilla likewise defended the rights of the LGBTQIA community, which he said is made up of reasonable and respected people who want to be heard.

Padilla also emphasized that he will not go against the “reminders” of some Muslim groups regarding his bill.

“Sila po ang nakakaalam ng Tama at Mali sa ating pananampalataya. Kailanman man po hindi ko sasalungatin ang kanilang mga pahayag ng pagtutuwid. Bagkus nagpapasalamat po ako sa kanilang mga paalala, pahayag at dua Alhamdulillah jazakum allah khayran (They know what is right and wrong in our faith. I will not go against their ‘reminders’ – instead, I am thankful to them for it),” he said.

Padilla said that has no intention to go against the teachings of any religion, and for that reason, what he proposed is civil union and not marriage. He emphasized that his bill seeks to uphold every citizen’s right to freedom of religion, equality and against exploitation.