MANILA – In the House of Representatives, there’s a renewed push for a same-sex civil partnership measure similar to constitutional rights given to straight couples.
The Civil Partnership Act (HB 1015) will serve as an “alternative” to marriage in this Catholic-majority nation, according to BH party-list’s Rep. Bernadette Herrera on Monday.
“This is not a marriage contract wherein there is a third party — either a judge or a religious official. In this civil partnership contract, the only parties are the two persons binding themselves to their contract. There are no religious issues involved because this is a matter of civil law. This bill is consistent with the Civil Code partnership provisions,” Herrera said.
She added: “Civil partnership po ang isinusulong namin sa Kongreso, hindi same-sex marriage, hindi union. Matagal nang kinikilala ng Civil Code of the Philippines na kahit sinong tao sa Pilipinas ay maaaring pumasok sa isang partnership agreement.”
Same-sex civil partnership law is a human rights issue and it does “not seek to dilute nor diminish marriages solemnized in Catholic and other religious rites,” Herrera explained.
Based on the proposed same-sex civil partnership bill, couples only need to register their signed and notarized civil partnership contract to the city or municipal hall.
“Iyan lang ang requirement. Hindi requirement ang anumang kasalan. Walang officiating officer sa anumang seremonya. Iyong kontrata lang at pag-register nito sa city hall o munisipyo ang requirement sang-ayon sa mga pamantayan na nakasaad sa panukalang batas,” Herrera said.
The House of Representatives have been using “civil partnership” or “civil union” to try to legalize same-sex marriage in the Philippines, but it failed to hurdle Congress due to opposition from religious groups./PN
