Cayetano slams poll body on Ladlad’s decision
MEMBERS of local gay rights group in the province were elated by the legal viewpoint expressed by a legislator on their cause.
After their petition for accreditation as a party-list was denied by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), members of Ang Ladlad, a national gay rights organization, have found an ally in Senator Pia Cayetano, chairperson of the Senate committee on Social Justice.
Cayetano, in a talk before the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas Forum in Dagupan on Thursday, expressed her outrage over the dismissal of Ang Ladlad’s application by the Comelec on grounds of immorality.
She said Republic Act 7941, or the party-list act, lists down several grounds for disqualification of a party, but homosexuality or perceived immorality is not among them.
SEN. PIA CAYETANO TALKS TO LOCAL MEDIA
The lady senator, who was in Pangasinan to conduct medical missions in Rosales and Dagupan City, said that as a lawyer she feels very strongly about the “unconstitutionality of the decision made by the Comelec on Ang Ladlad’s application.”
Cayetano said Ang Ladlad is a legitimate group duly registered with legitimate purposes and is entitled to be accredited since it met all the requirements required by law.
“We are all allowed to have a personal view. We are all allowed to have relative view but if you are chosen constitutional officers you have no right, you have no authority to use your personal or religious views in pursuing your constitutional mandate,” she said.
“I feel the basis for the rejection and the succeeding statements that were made smacked of ignorance and arrogance,” she said.
Cayetano criticized Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, the author of the decision, for humoring reporters, justifying the rejection with his view that homosexuals are already “over-represented” citing the presence of many gays and lesbians in Congress.
“That remark, even made in jest, was unnecessary and uncalled for. It only affirms his deep-seated prejudice against homosexuals which was reflected in the controversial decision of the Comelec’s second division,” said Cayetano, an independent running for reelection under the Nacionalista Party.—LM
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
