MALACAÑANG stood firm on enforcing the Family Code of the Philippines and would not recognize same-sex marriages by Filipinos abroad amid a clamor from local lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender (LGBT) groups for the government to follow the US Supreme Court which upheld same-sex unions in all 50 states of the US.
Communications Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. on Sunday said the prevailing law is clear. “Ang umiiral na batas po natin ay malinaw. Doon po sa Family Code of the Philippines, ang kinikilala lamang na kasal ay sa pagitan ng a man and a woman.”
He pointed out a specific provision of the Family Code which, he said, recognizes only weddings between a man and a woman.
“Nakalagay po doon ‘marriage is a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman entered into in accordance with law for the establishment of conjugal and family life,’” Coloma said.
He explained that this is why same-sex marriage contracted by Filipinos abroad are not recognized here.
“Kaya po lahat ng mga same-sex marriage ng mga Filipino na contracted sa foreign country ay hindi kinikilala sa ating bansa,” Coloma said.
He also noted that according to the nationality principle of the Civil Code of the Philippines, all Filipino citizens, even those living abroad are covered by this.
“Lahat ng mga batas patungkol sa family rights, status, condition at legal capacity ng mga Filipino citizens pati po iyong nakatira sa ibang bansa ay sinasakop ng Article XV ng Civil Code of the Philippines na nagsasaad—and I quote—‘Laws relating to family rights and duties or to the status, condition, and legal capacity of persons are binding upon citizens of the Philippines even though living abroad,’” he added.
Coloma clarified that the existing national policy on same-sex unions have not been changed. He suggested that those calling for such amendments should go to Congress instead.
“Wala pong pagbabago sa pambansang patakaran hinggil diyan. Kung mayroon pong nagpapanukala dapat po idaan nila iyon sa Kongreso,” Coloma said.
2 comments
Kahit na anong argumento ang gawin ng mga LGBTs, ang kinikilalang legitimong kasal ay sa mga lalaki at babae lamang ayon sa ating mga batas. Dahil ba nagdesisyon ang US Supreme Court na sinasangayunan ang same-sex marriage ay gagayahin na ng Pilipinas ito.. Kahit na sa BIBLIA sinasabing dalawa lamang ang kasarian- lalaki at babae. Bakit ba ang mga maiingay na minorya ang siya lamang binibigyan ng malawakang pansin ng media.. May nakikitang mali ako dito.
Good point. It seems like that even in other issues, kung ano yung “controversial” yun pa ang binibigyan ng malaking pansin. Just because a thousand groups are rallying in the streets, it doesn’t they represent our voice. Definitely NOT. Ang daming problema sa ating bansa ngayon mas mabuti ito ang tounan natin ng pansin lalo. I respect the LGBT community but they should also respect our Filipino values, culture and beliefs. Huwag nang i insist dahil mas lalo lang magka gulo tayo.