House Bill Number 4982 or An Act Probihiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual

Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) and Providing Penalties therefore

Proposition refers to a “person.” This is the

reason on why there is a Magna
Parameters: Carta for the person with disabilities
All of the data that each speaker would like and, sadly and ANNOYINGLY, even
to utilize to support his/her side’s points women.
(such as statistical data gathered from
various sources, expert quotations, studies, 2. In a working environment, passing the
polls, or, personal experiences) should only SOGIE bill can form individuals who are
be locally gathered. more effective contributors to society which
is the main goal of nation building.
Major points:
1. Despite the Constitution’s laws that 3. Subjecting any person to profiling,
protect human rights, there is no detention, or verbal or physical harassment
existing legislation that penalizes on the basis of their gender identity.
acts of harassment on the specific Supporting News:
basis of sexual orientation and There are still discriminations in the
gender identity. Filipinos can be Philippines despite the year of 2019 wherein
tolerant of the LGBTQ but they are closeted LGBTQ community are more
still a marginalized sector in society. accepted. A report from rappler states that a
transwoman professor experiences work
REBUTTAL: According to a survey discrimination. UP being known as a liberal
done by the Pew Research Center in academic institution that promotes diversity,
2013, The Philippines is the most she gladly accepts the opportunity to work
“accepting” country in Asia in terms of having the thought of being free from
LGBT as 73% of Filipinos said that transphobia. She experienced discrimination
homosexuality should be accepted through malicious gossipings and shameful
by society. accusations.
(https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-
on-homosexuality/)
Source: https://www.rappler.com/move-
REBUTTAL: ph/233454-transwoman-professor-up-talks-
Fallacy - Generalization about-discrimination-workplace

SUPPORT: The SOGIE bill can be 4. Article 3, Section 5 of the 1987

the “magna carta,” the symbol of Constitution states:
justice, fairness, and human rights, of “No law should be made respecting
the LGBTQ community. an establishment of religion or
a. R.A. 7277: “Magna Carta for prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
Disabled Persons” The free exercise and enjoyment of
b. R.A. 9710: “Magna Carta for religious profession and worship,
Women” without discrimination or preference,
Although Article 3, Section 1 of the shall forever be allowed. No religious
1987 Constitution states that there test shall be required for the exercise
should be “equal protection” to every of civil or political rights.”
“person,” it is not specified on what it
 House Bill Number 4982 or An Act Probihiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual
Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) and Providing Penalties therefore

1. The Philippines is called as a accreditation and formal recognitions

“Christian country” only from various organizations.
because more than 86% of 2. It appoints roles to various
the Filipinos claim to be government organizations to conduct
Roman Catholic and 2% investigations and recommendations
belong to over 100 Protestant on filing complaints against violators
denominations. in their corresponding workplaces.
https://asiasociety.org/education/religion The organizations shall mandate
-philippines
grievance mechanisms to address
5. Ensures the implementation of initiatives
discriminatory practices committed
and programs that seek to establish and
by its members and employees.
maintain an environment free of stigma and
3. Better workplace rapport leads to the
discrimination by intergrating Social
making of individuals who are more
Protection programs and Diversity Progams
free in doing their work. A better
and Trainings to provide or conduct trainings
attitude towards working equates
of staff, employees, students and trainees,
better working individuals.
on human rights, gender sensitivity and
4. It allows for the better advancement
awareness, and sensitization on the issue of
of the country from a conservative,
violence and on the basis of SOGIE are
more traditionalist nation to a more
prevented. The concerned agencies,
modern and welcoming society
companies and institutions shall develop
wherein everyone is being accepted
internal mechanisms to address cases of
regardless of their SOGIE.
discrimination and develope administrative
REBUTTAL: It will rather impose fear
solutions or penalties for such cases.
of expressing personal belief (if one
does not support homosexuality
based on various factors such as
6.The SOGIE Bill is not limited to the
religious teachings) because this
LGBTQ+ community. It applies to everyone
may be perceived as “discrimination”
since everyone of us has his/her own sexual
and can be charged by the law. -
orientation and gender identity expression.
Major point #3 in opposition
- it is often misinterpreted that only the
5. It will fill the gaps that are existing in
LGBTQ+ community will benefit from
current laws that cater to forms of
this but it caters to the discrimination
discrimination and promotes peace
of everyone
and love to all individuals.
REBUTTAL: Major point #1 of
6.
opposition

CLOSING STATEMENT FOR

Minor points:
PROPOSITION:
1. It prohibits including the SOGIE in the
As mentioned, existing institutional and
criteria for human resource
human rights laws do not cover the members
movements, the terms, and
of the LGBTQIA+. In fact, despite the country
conditions of employment, admission
being “accepting” of the LGBTQIA+, gender-
and expulsion from any educational
based discrimination still is present
and training institutions, and
 House Bill Number 4982 or An Act Probihiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual
Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) and Providing Penalties therefore
regardless of one’s educational attainment,
socio-economic status and race.
Aforementioned laws and statements above
only prove that the country fails to protect
everyone and the lawmakers of this country
consciously violates the Article 3, Section 5
of the 1987 Constitution.
Ladies and gentlemen, we move in fast pace
when it comes to societal, economical and
technological progress and money yet we
cease to work well on defending what is right
and on filling the apertures of the law.
Remember, law exists in order to maintain
peace and order not itself destroy everything
by refusing to protect who were meant to be
protected.
SKL: The Trump Administration Asked
The Supreme Court To Legalize Firing
Workers Simply For Being Gay
Duterte says that being gay is a
disease, he says he was gay before he
“cured” himself through the help of
beautiful women.
------------Baka lang makatulong.--------------
Opposition
Major points:
1. SOGIE (Sexual Orientation or
Gender Identity or Expression) Bill is
also called as “Anti-Discrimination
Bill”, however, it makes use of gender
as sole basis for rights and
prohibiting discrimination. Under
Section 4 (Discriminatory Practices)
of the SOGIE Bill, everything is
based, as the name of the bill implies,
“on the basis of gender expression”.
This cannot be generalized as “Anti-
Discrimination Bill” since there are
different aspects in which
discrimination can be referred to and
it is no longer needed since there are
already several existing laws that
caters the rights of citizens in all
aspects (sex, race, age, class, status,
ethnicity, color, disability, religious
and political beliefs, including sexual
orientation or gender identity or
expression).
OTHER LAWS:
- R.A. 9710, Section 3 (or
Magna Carta for Women): “All
individuals are equal as human
beings by virtue of the inherent
dignity of each human person.
No one should therefore suffer
discrimination on the basis of
ethnicity, gender, age,
language, sexual orientation,
race, color, religion, political or
other opinion, national, social
or geographical origin,
disability, property, birth, or
other status as established by
human rights standards.
- Phil. Constitution, Article II,
Section 11: ““The State values
the dignity of every person and
guarantees full respect for
human rights”
- Phil. Constitution, Article III,
Section 1, 2, 4, 8, 12:
“guarantees every person the
right to life, security of person
and privacy, right to be free
from torture, arbitrary arrest
and detention, the right to be
free from discrimination and
the right to freedom of
expression, and the right to
organize associations”
- Labor Code of the
Philippines Article 282-284:
These are the only grounds of
termination of an employee
(a) Serious misconduct
or willful
 House Bill Number 4982 or An Act Probihiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual
Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) and Providing Penalties therefore
disobedience by the
employee
(b) Gross and habitual
neglect by the
employee of his
duties
(c) Fraud or willful
breach by the
employee of the trust
reposed in him by
his employer or duly
authorized
representative
(d) Commission of a
crime or offense by
the employee against
the person of his
employer or any
immediate member of
his family
(e) Diseases
- Civil Code of the
Philippines
- Anti-Graft and Corrupt
Practices Act
- Code of Conduct and
Ethical Standards for
Public Officials and
Employees
- Revised Penal Code of the
Philippines
- Anti-Sexual Harassment
Act of 1995
- United Nations’ Universal
Declaration of Human
Rights (Article I): “All
human beings are born free
and equal in dignity and
rights.” Article II: Everyone
is entitled to all the rights and
freedoms set forth in this
Declaration, without
distinction of any kind, such
as race, colour, sex,
language, religion, political or
other opinion, national or
social origin, property, birth
or other status.
REBUTTAL: Major point #3 of
proposition
2. The bill is subjective because
different people may have different
interpretations of a said statement.
What is offensive to others may not
be offensive to some. With that said,
people may abuse this bill to
criminalize someone who they hold
grudges against.
SUPPORT: Section 4 (L) of the
Congress’s version of the SOGIE bill
states that “Engaging in public
speech meant to shame, insult, vilify,
or which tends to incite or normalize
the commission of discriminatory
practices against LGBTs, and which
acts or practices in turn, intimidate
them or result in their loss of self-
esteem”. The definition of self-
esteem in this context is not clearly
defined and so people may claim
that their self-esteem has been
damaged even if it was just a slight
misunderstanding between two
parties.
3. Non-compliance with the SOGIE Bill
is punishable by fines and
imprisonment. If a person disagrees
with the bill’s gender ideologies,
he/she will be charged 100,000 to
500,000 or 1 to 6 years in prison, or
both. Ironically, this so-called “Anti-
Discrimination Bill” discriminates
those whose beliefs run contrary to
the gender ideology presented by the
SOGIE Bill by criminzalizing any
dissent.
4. Sogie bill imperils the freedom of
academic institutions. It is said that
the LGBTQ+ are allowed to enter in
 House Bill Number 4982 or An Act Probihiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual
Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) and Providing Penalties therefore
an all-girls or all-boys school when
they feel like their sexual orientation
confides with the criteria of the
school. Thus, educational institutions
will still espouse practices and rules
that are consistent with their school
philosophies and principles. It is
non-discriminative to decline the
LGBTQ+ members to enter such
institutions, rather these schools are
just upholding their philosophy being
an all-boys or girls school
(biologically).
5. It gives special power to the
members of the LGBTQ+ community
rather than making every individual
equal. Although the bill promotes
anti-discrimination it is still directly
focused and biased to the LGBTQ+
community.
6. Sexual orientations are subjective
and is solely based on one’s feelings
- not in facts, that are supported by
science. These may change without
prior notice to others. There is no
permanency of distinction which may
cause confusion.
SUPPORT: Atty. Lumanta cited a
hypothetical case of a man who
identifies as a woman but was
referred to as “sir” instead of
“ma’am.” Will it be considered as
mental violence because you felt
you had been discriminated against
because you were called not by your
preferred reference?
Minor points:
1. It may raise complications in certain
sports events. For example, a trans
woman competing in a martial arts
event can have the upper hand
since this kind of sport requires
strength. (a biological man is
physically stronger than a woman)
2. Gender neutral bathrooms may
threaten people’s safety and may
cause a great discomfort to some
people.
3. Sogie bill gives identity to the so
called third sex whereas in the bible,
they are not acknowledged. This bill
therefore contradicts what is written
in the holy book.
4. During the Senate Hearing, Naomi
Fontanos from the Ganda Filipinas, a
transgender woman and advocate of
the SOGIE Bill, stated that sex musn’t
be assigned at birth, because sex
assignment is predictive and not final.
According to her, in the case of trans
people, they were assigned male or
female at birth, however it was
“incorrect” and “was just a guess”.
This contradicts science and biology.
In order to be called “male”, the child
must possess the male genitalia and
hormones at birth, and similar to
female, the child must possess the
female genitalia and hormones.
5. The SOGIE bill penalizes parental
rights. It prohibits the parents to
teach their children on what they
believe to be morally right. This
means that this bill is imposing to
parents to teach their children that
homosexuality is morally acceptable
which is completely the opposite of
most people’s religious practices,
both Christians and Muslims alike.
 House Bill Number 4982 or An Act Probihiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual
Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) and Providing Penalties therefore

We have not mentioned yet other
major religious groups.
6. Sogie at most are just based on
feelings, ideas, and beliefs. And as
beliefs, they are already being
protected constitutionally and
legislatively.
that have the capability to disrupt peace and
harmony, laws that could produce more
harm than good, and laws that could pave
the way for injustice, should never be
implemented. Therefore, we make a firm
stand that it is not necessary to have a
SOGIE law in the Philippines.

CLOSING STATEMENT FOR

OPPOSITION:

As mentioned, this SOGIE Bill, as the name

of the bill implies, makes use of gender
expression as sole basis for rights and
prohibiting discrimination. The bill does not
show objective and rational way of thinking
because some of its parts evidently exhibit
relativism and subjectivity, which means
that different people may have different
interpretations regarding various matters
related to the bill. Ironically, this so-called
“Anti-Discrimination Bill” discriminates those
whose beliefs run contrary to the gender
ideology presented by the SOGIE Bill by
criminzalizing any dissent. If this will be
implemented, it has a high potential of
resulting to lack of justice, peace and
integrity in our country which could
consequently lead to even more barbaric
situations.

Ladies and gentlemen, all individuals, men

and women, regardless of how they identify
themselves, are already equal before the
law and they all enjoy the same rights.
There are already numerous existing laws
that protect everyone from unjust
discrimination, harassment, and abuse. We
can show compassion towards the LGBT
community without having to sacrifice other
human rights. Remember, law exists in
order to maintain peace and order. Laws