On December 9, a Senate panel approved a bill that aims to penalize gender-based violence and discrimination, otherwise known as House Bill No. 1934 Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE-SC) Equality Bill.
SOGIE-SC Bill was proposed and passed by Senator Risa Hontiveros in the effort of making public spaces safe for the members of the LGBQTQIA++ Community. Under the Bill, discriminatory acts such as SOGIE-SC-based violence in the workplace, academe, and public services shall be fined not less than PHP 500,000 but not more than 1 million. Sen. Hontiveros reiterated that the bill does not promote special rights and its approval and enactment as law will protect everyone and not only a particular minority.
Meanwhile, Senator Tito Sotto expressed that the bill will not be approved by the upper chamber. Despite his threat, Hontiveros expressed confidence in the bill’s final approval.
