Philippines' Legislation on Care Act may boost LGBTQ+ legal protections
In the heart of Southeast Asia, the Philippines is taking significant strides towards ensuring equal rights and protections for its LGBTQ+ community. Two key pieces of legislation, the Right to Care Act and the SOGIE Equality Bill, are currently making headlines as they work their way through the country's legislative process.
The Right to Care Act, filed as House Bill No. 2786, has been submitted to the Philippine House of Representatives. This bill seeks to officially recognise couples of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions (SOGIE), allowing them to designate their common-law partners as healthcare agents to make critical health decisions on their behalf, regardless of legal marital status. The act, if passed, would also help both patients and medical professionals to identify next of kin during emergencies.
One of the first recipients of the right-to-care card, a legal guarantee for queer couples, was Ash Musnit and Leslie Ampo-an, a couple together for 18 years. The card, initially created for hospitals and health insurance companies, had been declined by them. However, the Quezon City government, in a move that could serve as a litmus test for the success of the policy nationwide, launched a right-to-care programme in June 2023. More than 1,200 couples have registered in the programme so far.
The SOGIE Equality Bill, while still pending, remains a key legislative priority for LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and lawmakers. This bill aims to provide fair and equal access to basic social services, opportunities, healthcare, protection, and justice for all individuals, regardless of their SOGIE. The bill includes a "right to care" card for couples that all health facilities must accept or face penalties.
The Quezon City mayor's ordinance requires all hospitals to accept the right-to-care card, setting a precedent for other cities and regions to follow. Percival Cendaña, a party-list representative, filed the Right to Care Act, and he is optimistic that Congress will pass it. Cendaña, who helped draft the Philippines' first bill against discrimination of LGBTQ+ Filipinos in 2000, is a strong advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
However, the SOGIE Equality Bill has faced fierce opposition from religious groups and some lawmakers, causing it to stall. The Commission on Human Rights and advocacy groups support these legislative efforts as human rights issues but are still calling for their urgent passage to ensure nondiscrimination and legal recognition in health and other settings.
In conclusion, the Right to Care Act and the SOGIE Equality Bill are crucial steps towards legal recognition and health rights for LGBTQ+ couples in the Philippines. While the Right to Care Act has been filed and is actively promoted, the SOGIE Equality Bill remains pending, reflecting the ongoing efforts to pass comprehensive equality and anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. These bills are part of a broader push for legal recognition and human rights, and their passage is eagerly awaited.
[1] Philippine Star. (2023, June 15). Quezon City launches right-to-care program for LGBTQ+ couples. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/06/15/2188601/quezon-city-launches-right-care-program-lgbtq-couples
[2] Rappler. (2023, August 10). House bill seeks to protect LGBTQ+ couples from stigma, discrimination in health settings. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/2890110-house-bill-seeks-protect-lgbtq-couples-stigma-discrimination-health-settings
[3] GMA News Online. (2023, August 25). Right to Care Act: House bill recognizes LGBTQ+ relationships, allows partners to act as primary caregivers. Retrieved from https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/nation/government/780185/right-to-care-act-house-bill-recognizes-lgbtq-relationships-allows-partners-to-act-as-primary-caregivers/story/
[4] Manila Bulletin. (2023, September 8). House Bill 2786: A step towards recognizing LGBTQ+ relationships. Retrieved from https://manilabulletin.com/2023/09/08/house-bill-2786-a-step-towards-recognizing-lgbtq-relationships/
[5] Inquirer.net. (2023, October 13). Human rights groups call for passage of SOGIE Equality Bill. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1593135/human-rights-groups-call-for-passage-of-sogie-equality-bill
