Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David has urged lawmakers to listen to their constituents before deciding on an anti-discrimination bill that, critics allege, might infringe on religious freedom.
David, in an interview posted on the website of Church-run Radyo Veritas 846, said debate was also important.
“So if you are representing people, listen. Listen to your constituents and what they have to say about the issue. So a reasoned debate I think is very, very important on the matter,” said David, who is vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III warned on Thursday that the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality could be abused.
“The problem kasi dun sa issue ng SOGIE or the anti-discrimination act or bill that they are pushing, definitely it’s going to be subject to abuse,” he told reporters.
In a statement, Sotto said “It has no chance of passing in the Senate, ‘IF’ it transgresses on academic freedom, religious freedom and women’s rights.” (PressONE.ph)
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