Duterte agrees on Pope's support for same-sex civil union - Palace

Palace said Thursday that President Rodrigo Duterte agreed on the Pope’s support for same-sex couples’ civil union.

For the first time, Pope Francis expressed support for the civil unions for same-sex couples in the new documentary film “Francesco.”

“Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it,” the Pope said in the film, the Catholic News Agency reported.

“What we have to create is a civil union law. That way, they are legally covered,” the Pope said.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said, “The president has said it over and over again. Pabor po siya sa isang batas na magre-recognize ng civil union sa same-sex relationships.”

Under civil union laws, same-sex couples can be protected by law, which current law does not provide.

Duterte agrees on Pope’s support for same-sex civil union – Palace

But like Pope Francis, Duterte still does not want to give his blessing for same-sex marriage.

In January 2020, the Supreme Court upheld the rejection of the same-sex marriage petition in the country, especially since there was no substantial argument filed by lawyer Jesus Nicardo Falcis II, which questioned some provisions of the Family Code.

In the said code, it is said that only women and men can marry in the Philippines.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) continues to call for recognition of the LGBT community’s historic fight after this court decision.

Along with these developments, Roque hopes that there will be no more obstacles to finally legalize same-sex civil unions, especially since the Pope approved it.

“Depende na lang ‘yan sa prayoridad ng ating Konggreso. Pero with no-less than the Pope supporting it, I think even the most conservative of all Catholics in Congress should no longer have a basis for objecting,” said Roque.

Last month, LGBTQI groups called President Rodrigo Duterte as “misogynistic and transphobic” after granting convict US Marine Corps Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton an absolute pardon.