1 University of the Cordilleras

2 Department of Political Science

3 MODEL SENATE
4 COMMITTEE ON WOMEN, CHILDREN, FAMILY RELATIONS, AND
5 GENDER EQUALITY
6 Baguio City
7
8 SECOND CONGRESS
9 Regular Session
10
11 AGENDA
12
13 Committee Meeting No. 008
14 Tuesday, June 21, 2022, | 1:00PM – 3:00PM
15 Via Zoom: https://up-edu.zoom.us/j/93725894333
16
17 I. NATIONAL ANTHEM
18 II. PRAYER/ INVOCATION
19 Lead by Senator Janna Mae Mayapit
20 III. CALL TO ORDER
21 IV. ROLL CALL
22 V. APPROVAL OF JOURNALS OF PREVIOUS PROCEEDING DATED JUNE 18,
23 2022
24 VI. AGENDA
25 A) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
26 1. Senate Bill No. 35 entitled an Act Establishing a Home Care for
27 Unattached, Neglected, Abandoned, Abused, Beggar, and Poor
28 Senior Citizens in Every Province and Cities in the Philippines,
29 appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes authored
30 by Senator Britani Chuyat and Co-authored by Senator Jasper
31 Bagni
32 B) BILLS
33 1. Senate Bill No. 55 entitled ““SOGIE Equality Act of 2022”
34 authored by Senator Rey Mark Cajigal and co-authored by
35 Senator Hannah Ramos, Senator Joshua R. Cadiogan, Senator
36 Jasper Bagni, Senator John Rey Bendebel, Senator Jennifer
37 Dumugon, Senator Mygz Jobo Jose Haya, Senator Christeen
38 Jhen Hernandez, Senator Junalyn Ladwingon, Senator Almira
39 Macalino, Senator Wendy Mae Mahilum,Senator Dave Jasm
40 Matusalem, Senator Janna Mae Mayapit,Senator Padilla Joycelee
41 Grace, Senator Carrolei Ragual Senator Yna Cecille Grace
42 Ramos, Senator Brian Selwyn Villamar
43
44 Senators Interpellating in SB No. 55
45
46 1. Senator Britani Chuyat
47 2. Senator Brent Alam-am

1
48 3. Senator Chlarenz Liaban
49
50 VI. ADJOURNMENT
51
52
53
54
55 Prepared by:
56
57
58
59
60 Jasmin Montes
61 Committee Secretary
62
63
64
65 Noted & Approved:
66
67
68
69 Gherald Edaño
70 Senate President
71
72
73

2
 74
75 SECOND CONGRESS OF THE ]
76 UC MODEL SENATE ]
77 First Regular Session ]
78
79 UC MODEL SENATE
80
81 S.B. No. 35
82
83

84
85 AUTHORED BY SENATOR BRITANI CHUYAT
86 CO AUTHORED BY SENATOR JASPER BAGNI
87 SPONSORED BY MARY GRACE DANGTAYAN
88 CO-SPONSORED BY LYKA MELICINTH CONCEPTION
89
90

91
92 AN ACT
93 ESRABLISHING A HOME CARE FOR UNATTACHED, NEGLECTED,
94 ABANDONED, ABUSED, BEGGAR, AND POOR SENIOR CITIZENS IN EVERY
95 PROVINCE AND CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES,
96 APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
97
98 EXPLANATORY NOTE
99 As provided in the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, it is the declared
100 policy of the State to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the
101 prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty
102 through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a
103 rising standard of living and an improved quality of life. In the Declaration of
104 Principles and State Policies in Article II, Sections 10 and 11, it is further declared
105 that the State shall provide social justice in all phases of national development and
106 that the State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect
107 for human rights.
108
109 Article XIII, Section 11 of the Constitution provides that the Sate shall adopt an
110 integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall
111 endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all
112 the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the
113 underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children.
114
115 It is difficult to imagine that in our country elderly abandonment is real. Family
116 relationships matters, even those up to the second and third degree of affinity.

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117 However, displacing and abandoning the elderly in the country is slowly and silently
118 increasing in number.
119
120 Nationwide, the government manages four residential care services for old persons
121 neglected by their families. These are located in Quezon City, Rizal, Davao City and
122 Zamboanga City.More than 8 million, or 8.2 percent, of the Philip pines’ population
123 of 108.9 million are aged 60 and above, per a report of the Commission on
124 Population and Development (PopCom). Of this group, 5 million (or 4.7 percent) are
125 aged 65 and older.The numbers place the Philippines closer to having an aging
126 population meaning, as defined by PopCom, at least 7 percent are over 65years old.
127
128 Our seniors is expected to increase in number in the coming years, and
129 abandonment is an issue that our government has to face. At present, the care for
130 abandoned elderly often go the care of private and religious institutions.
131
132 The rising incidents of abandonment of the elderly in the country can be attributed
133 to various reasons including rising cost of living, lack of health insurance, busy
134 schedules and more. The bill seeks to establish a home that will give care for the
135 elderly to be operated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in
136 every province and cities in the country
137
138
139
140
141
142 SENATOR BRITANI CHUYAT
143
144 SENATOR JASPER BAGNI

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145 SECOND CONGRESS OF THE ]
146 UC MODEL SENATE ]
147 First Regular Session ]
148
149 UC MODEL SENATE
150
151 S.B. No. 35
152
153

154
155 AUTHORED BY SENATOR BRITANI CHUYAT
156 CO AUTHORED BY SENATOR JASPER BAGNI
157 SPONSORED BY MARY GRACE DANGTAYAN
158 CO-SPONSORED BY LYKA MELICINTH CONCEPTION
159
160

161
162 AN ACT ESRABLISHING A HOME CARE FOR UNATTACHED, NEGLECTED,
163 ABANDONED, ABUSED, BEGGAR, AND POOR SENIOR CITIZENS IN
164 EVERY PROVINCE AND CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES,
165 APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
166
167
168
169 SECTION 1. Short Title – This Act shall be cited and known as the ‘Home for the
170 Elderly Act of 2022’
171
172 SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy – It is hereby declared the policy of the State
173 to value the dignity of every human person, guarantee full respect for human
174 rights, extend assistance the older persons through programs of social security, and
175 promote the right to health and safety of the senior citizens. The state shall extent
176 assistance to unattached, abandoned, abused, neglect, beggar and poor person.
177
178 SECTION 3. Definition of Terms:
179
180 For the purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as:
181
182 A) Older Persons (OP) - is a resident senior citizen of the Philippines who is 60
183 years old and above who maybe unattached, neglected, abandoned, abused and
184 poor.
185 B) Unattached Person - refers to an older person with disability and with no
186 family who can provide necessary care, protection and support.

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187 C) Neglected Person - refers to an older person with disability, whose basic
188 needs for survival have been deliberately, unattended or inadequately attended by
189 his/her family
190 D) Abandoned Person - refers to an older person with disability who has no
191 means of meeting basic needs, and whose family had deserted him/her, hence,
192 appropriate care, protection and support are not met.
193 E) Abused Person - refers to an older person with disability who is
194 psychologically, emotionally, sexually, and physically maltreated and exploited
195 resulting to violation of his/her rights and degradation of his/her intrinsic worth and
196 dignity as a human being.
197 F) Poor Person - refers to older person with disability with no means to support
198 his/her basic needs.
199 G) Beggar Person - refers to older person who lives by asking for money and
200 food.
201 H) Home Care - refers to a care that allows an older person with special needs
202 to stay.
203
204 SECTION 4. ESTABLISHMENT Of HOME CARE - There shall be established in
205 every province and cities in the country, a Home Care for unattached, neglected,
206 abandoned, abused and poor persons in coordination with LGU, other Government
207 Organization or duly licensed/accredited NGOs and it shall be operated and
208 maintained by the DSWD.
209
210 SECTION 5. FUNCTIONS OF HOME CARE - The home care shall provide
211 unattached, neglected, abandoned, abused and poor within its territorial jurisdiction
212 institutionalized residential care programs and services such as but not limited to:
213 A. Comfortable living quarters
214 B. Adequate food and clothing
215 C. Medical consultation or treatment
216 D. Health care
217 E. Occupational opportunities
218 F. Recreational activities
219 G. Outreach to existing family for reintegration
220 H. Productivity development
221 I. Religious, cultural and vocational activities
222 J. Counseling
223
224
225 SECTION 6. Appropriations – The amount necessary to establish, operate and
226 manage the establishment of Home Care for the elderly shall be included in the
227 annual General Appropriations Act.
228

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229 SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations – Within forty (90) days
230 from the approval of this Act, in coordination with LGU, other Government
231 Organization or duly licensed/accredited NGOs and it shall be operated and
232 maintained by the DSWD.
233
234
235 SECTION 8. Repealing Clause – All laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, other
236 issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed
237 or modified accordingly.
238
239 SECTION XX. Separability Clause –
240
241 SECTION 10. Effectivity – This Act shall take effect upon its publication in the
242 Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
243
244 Approved,

SECOND CONGRESS OF THE ]

UC MODEL SENATE ]
First Regular Session ]

5 7
 UC MODEL SENATE

S.B. No. _______

Authored by SENATOR REY MARK CAJIGAL

Co-authored by SENATOR HANNAH RAMOS
SENATOR JOSHUA R. CADIOGAN
SENATOR JASPER BAGNI
SENATOR JOHN REY BENDEBEL
SENATOR JENNIFER DUMUGON
SENATOR MYGZ JOBO JOSE HAYA
SENATOR CHRISTEEN JHEN HERNANDEZ
SENATOR JUNALYN LANDWINGON
SENATOR ALMIRA MACALINO
SENATOR WENDY MAE MAHILUM
SENATOR DAVE JASM MATUSALEM
SENATOR JANNA MAE MAYAPIT
SENATOR PADILLA JOYCELEE GRACE
SENATOR CARROLEI RAGUAL
SENATOR YNA CECILLE GRACE RAMOS
SENATOR BRIAN SELWYN VILLAMAR
Sponsored by SENATOR AVA GARCIA

AN ACT
PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL
ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR GENDER EXPRESSION (SOGIE)
AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article II, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines states: “The
State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for
human rights.”1

Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9710, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of
Women (MCW), provides:

6 1
The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.
7 https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/

8 8
 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. 2

Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 29-2010 prohibits

discrimination against LGBT people applying for civil service examinations. 3

In addition, the Civil Service Commission’s Revised Policies on Merit and

Promotion Plan, a provision reads: “There shall be no discrimination in the selection
of employees on account of gender, civil status, disability, religion, ethnicity, or
political affiliation.”4

In 2016, it can be recalled that the Department of Social Welfare and

Development released a policy fostering a “gender-inclusive workplace, stressing
that DSWD personnel belonging to the LGBTQ community have the right to comply
with the office uniform styles prescribed by the Department in a manner consistent
with their gender identity and expression. Preferred uniform styles of personnel
belonging to the LGBTQ community will be respected i.e., either they opt to wear
pants (in lieu of skirt) or skirt (in lieu of pants).” 5 However, this has not been
institutionalized in all departments, providing the need for this law.

Also, according to a new United Nations study in 2018, “high levels of lesbian,
gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people – 21 percent of respondents
in China, 30 percent in the Philippines and 23 percent in Thailand – reported being
harassed, bullied or discriminated against by others while at work because of their
sexual orientation, gender identity, expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC)…
Some 10 percent of respondents in China, 21 percent in the Philippines and 28
percent in Thailand believed that they were denied a job due to their SOGIESC. In
China, the Philippines and Thailand, more than two-thirds said they had seen a job
advertisement that explicitly excludes their SOGIE in the job requirement.” 6

9 2
Republic Act No. 9710. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2009/08/14/republic-act-no-9710/
10 3
Enacting an Anti-Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law.
11 https://pcw.gov.ph/enacting-an-anti-discrimination-based-on-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-
12 law/
13 4
Revised Policies on Merit Promotion Plan. http://csc.gov.ph/phocadownload//MC2001/mc3s2001.pdf
14 5
DSWD backs LGBTQ community to end gender discrimination. https://www.dswd.gov.ph/dswd-
15 backs-lgbtq-community-to-end-gender-discrimination/
16 6
Report details workplace discrimination faced by LGBTI people in China, the Philippines and
17 Thailand. https://www.undp.org/asia-pacific/press-releases/report-details-workplace-discrimination-
18 faced-lgbti-people-china-philippines-and-thailand

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 This measure seeks to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual
orientation, gender identity, or gender expression (SOGIE). Every human being has
a SOGIE, not only the LGBTQIA++, and it needs to be protected.

In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

SENATOR REY MARK CAJIGAL

SENATOR HANNAH RAMOS
SENATOR JOSHUA R. CADIOGAN
SENATOR AVA GARCIA
SENATOR JASPER BAGNI
SENATOR JOHN REY BENDEBEL
SENATOR JENNIFER DUMUGON
SENATOR MYGZ JOBO JOSE HAYA
SENATOR CHRISTEEN JHEN HERNANDEZ
SENATOR JUNALYN LANDWINGON
SENATOR ALMIRA MACALINO
SENATOR WENDY MAE MAHILUM
SENATOR DAVE JASM MATUSALEM
SENATOR JANNA MAE MAYAPIT
SENATOR PADILLA JOYCELEE GRACE
SENATOR CARROLEI RAGUAL
SENATOR YNA CECILLE GRACE RAMOS
SENATOR BRIAN SELWYN VILLAMAR

SECOND CONGRESS OF THE ]

UC MODEL SENATE ]
First Regular Session ]

UC MODEL SENATE

S.B. No. _______

Authored by SENATOR REY MARK CAJIGAL

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 Co-authored by SENATOR HANNAH RAMOS
SENATOR JOSHUA CADIOGAN
SENATOR BAGNI JASPER
SENATOR JOHN REY BENDEBEL
SENATOR JENNIFER DUMUGON
SENATOR MYGZ JOBO JOSE HAYA
SENATOR CHRISTEEN JHEN HERNANDEZ
SENATOR JUNALYN LANDWINGON
SENATOR ALMIRA MACALINO
SENATOR DAVE JASM MATUSALEM
SENATOR WENDY MAE MAHILUM
SENATOR JANNA MAE MAYAPIT
SENATOR PADILLA JOYCELEE GRACE
SENATOR CARROLEI RAGUAL
SENATOR YNA CECILLE GRACE RAMOS
SENATOR BRIAN SELWYN VILLAMAR
Sponsored by SENATOR AVA GARCIA

AN ACT
PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL
ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR GENDER EXPRESSION (SOGIE)
AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the UC Model Senate in assembly:

245 SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “SOGIE Equality Act of
246 2022”
247
248 SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – Article 2, Section 11 of the 1987 Philippine
249 Constitution states that it shall be the policy of the state to value the dignity of every
250 human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.
251
252 SECTION 3. Definition of Terms.
253
254 For the purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as:
255
256 a) “Conversion Therapy” refers to any attempt to change a person’s sexual
257 orientation, gender identity, or gender expression;
258 b) “Discrimination” refers to any distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference
259 based on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender

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260 expression, hereinafter referred to as "SOGIE," and has the purpose or effect
261 of nullifying or impairing the recognition, access to, enjoyment, or exercise by
262 all persons on an equal footing of all rights and freedoms. For purposes of
263 this provision, the actual sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender
264 expression of the person subjected to discrimination shall not be relevant for
265 the purpose of determining whether an act of discrimination has been
266 committed;
267 c) “Gender Expression” refers to the outward manifestations of the cultural traits
268 that enable a person to identify as male or female according to patterns that,
269 at a particular moment in history, a given society defines as gender
270 appropriate;
271 d) “Gender Identity” refers to the personal sense of identity as characterized,
272 among others, by manner of clothing, inclinations, and behavior in relation to
273 masculine or feminine conventions. A person may have a male or female
274 identity with the physiological characteristics of the opposite sex;
275 e) “Hate Crime” refers to any attempted or committed criminal act directed
276 against a person or persons based on the victim’s sexual orientation, gender
277 identity, or gender expression;
278 f) “Harassment” refers to an act or a series of acts involving any unwelcome
279 advances, requests or demands. It is also illegal behavior towards a person
280 that causes mental or emotional suffering, which includes repeated unwanted
281 contacts without a reasonable purpose, insults, threats, touching, or offensive
282 language.
283 g) “LGBTQIA++” refers to a range of sexual orientations and gender identities
284 and shall mean Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and/or
285 Questioning, and Asexual and/or Ally.
286 i. “Lesbian” refers to a woman who is sexually and/or emotionally
287 attracted to other women.
288 ii. “Gay” refers to a man who is sexually and/or emotionally attracted to
289 other men.
290 iii. “Bisexual” refers to someone who is sexually and/or emotionally
291 attracted to more than one gender.  It refers to someone who is
292 attracted to two or more genders out of the many gender identities.
293 iv. “Transgender” refers to any person whose gender identity is different
294 from the gender that they were assigned at birth.
295 v. “Queer” refers to anyone who is not straight and not cisgender.
296 Cisgender people are people whose gender identity and expression
297 match the sex they were assigned at birth. Historically the term queer
298 was used as a slur against LGBTQIA people, but in recent years it has
299 been reclaimed by LGBTIQ communities. However, some LGBTIQA
300 people still find the term offensive. Queer is also often used as a broad
301 rejection of labels. In this context, this could be a rejection of any type

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302 of label, but most often refers to a rejection of labels for gender and
303 sexual orientation.
304 vi. “Questioning” refers to someone who is not sure how they identify.
305 Someone can be questioning their sexual orientation and/or their gender
306 identity.
307 vii. “Intersex” refers to people who naturally have biological traits, such as
308 hormonal levels or genitalia, that do not match what is typically
309 identified as male or female. Being intersex is a naturally occurring trait
310 in humans; it is not pathological. Being intersex is not linked to sexual
311 orientation or gender identity; intersex people can have different sexual
312 orientations and gender identities and expressions.
313 viii. “Asexual” refers to individuals who do not experience, or experience a
314 low level, of sexual desire. This identity can include those who are
315 interested in having romantic relationships, and those who are not.
316 People of different sexual orientations and gender identities can be
317 asexual.
318 ix. “Ally” refers to people who identify as cisgender and straight and believe
319 in social and legal equality for LGBTIQ+ people are allies.
320 h) “Sex Characteristics” refers to the physical attributes associated with sex
321 identity. Primary sex characteristics (e.g., testes in males, ovaries in females)
322 are directly involved in reproduction of the species. Secondary sex
323 characteristics are features not directly concerned with reproduction, such as
324 voice quality, facial hair, and breast size.
325 i) “Sexual Orientation” refers to the direction of emotional sexual attraction or
326 conduct. This can be towards people of the same sex (homosexual
327 orientation), towards people of both sexes (bisexual orientation), or towards
328 people of the opposite sex (heterosexual orientation).
329 j) “Stigma” refers to the dynamic devaluation and dehumanization of an
330 individual in the eyes of others which may be based on attributes that are
331 arbitrarily defined by others as discreditable or unworthy and which result in
332 discrimination when acted upon.
333
334 SECTION 4. Communities Vulnerable to Discrimination and Abuse based
335 on SOGIE. – This Act aims to protect individuals and communities experiencing
336 human rights abuses on the basis of SOGIE. This includes, but is not limited to,
337 individuals and communities with different sexual orientations or gender identities or
338 expressions, including but not limited to children, adolescents, the poor, or people
339 with disabilities.
340
341 SECTION 5. Discriminatory Practices.
342
343 It shall be unlawful for any person, natural or juridical, to:

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344
345 a) Deny the right to apply for public service and professional license against any
346 person or group on the basis of SOGIE;
347 b) Deny the right to use establishments and services including housing on the
348 basis of SOGIE;
349 c) Impose differential treatment in the basis of SOGIE;
350 d) Deny of admission or expulsion from an educational institution;
351 e) Refuse or revoke the accreditation to any organization due to an individual’s
352 SOGIE will;
353 f) Discriminate and force any person to undertake any medical or psychological
354 examination to alter his SOGIE;
355 g) Publish any information intending to “out” a person without his or her
356 consent;
357 h) Practice public speech meant to vilify LGBTQ+;
358 i) Harass and coerce the latter by anyone especially in law enforcement and
359 gender profiling;
360 j) Deny equal work opportunities with regards to employment against person or
361 group on the basis of SOGIE; and
362 k) Coerce to join any conversion therapy.
363
364 SECTION 6. Administrative Sanctions. – The deliberate refusal of a government
365 employee who is obliged to investigate, prosecute, or otherwise comply with the
366 obligation in violation of this Act without justifiable reason constitutes gross
367 negligence of the employee and responds accordingly will be punished
368 administrative sanctions.
369
370 SECTION 7. Penalties – Any person who commits any discriminatory practice
371 described in Section 5 of this Act shall, upon conviction, be penalized by a fine of not
372 less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PI00,000.00) but not more than Two
373 Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (P250,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than one
374 (1) year but not more than six (6) years, subject to the discretion of the court.
375
376 In addition, the court may impose upon a person found to have committed
377 any of the prohibited acts the rendition of community service in terms of attendance
378 in human rights education's familiarizations with and exposure to the plight of the
379 victims. Nothing in this Act shall preclude the victim from instituting a separate and
380 independent actions for damages and other affirmative reliefs.
381
382 The penalties provided under this Section shall be without prejudice to the
383 impositions of administrative liability for government officials and employees.
384
385 SECTION 8. Redress Mechanisms for SOGIE-related Cases.
386

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387 a) Inclusion of SOGIE Concerns in All Police Stations – The women's and
388 children's departments currently present in all police stations are also to
389 handle complaints and/or cases that fall under this law. In this context, police
390 operating these desks must be trained in human rights and SOGIE, gender
391 sensitivity and awareness, and awareness raising regarding violence and
392 abuse based on SOGIE. Complainant-Minor may be represented by a parent,
393 guardian, social worker, or non-government organizations (NGOs) with good
394 status and reputation.
395 b) Role of the Civil Service Commission – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is
396 responsible for dealing with discriminatory practices committed by officials or
397 employees of government agencies, instrumentalities, government-owned
398 and controlled corporations (GOCCs), and other organizations under their
399 jurisdiction. It requires the establishment of a grievance mechanism.
400 c) Role of the Department of Labor and Employment - The Department of Labor
401 and Employment (DOLE) shall mandate the establishment of a grievance
402 mechanism to address discriminatory practices committed in the workplace.
403 d) Role of the Commission on Human Rights - The Commission on Human Rights
404 (CHR) is investigating and recommending complaints against anyone who
405 violates this law. If the Committee has reasonable reason to believe that an
406 individual or a group of individuals is performing an act punishable under
407 Section 5 of this Act, the Committee will recommend a legal action to the
408 prosecutor or court having jurisdiction.
409
410 The CHR also directs the officer concerned to take appropriate action against an
411 officer or employee at fault or who is negligent in performing an act or performing a
412 duty required under this Act, and recommends recommend revocation of license,
413 revocation of position or employment, suspension, removal, fine, reprimand or
414 prosecution, and assurance of compliance. An officer who unreasonably refuses to
415 comply with an order of the Commission to revoke, revoke, suspend, demote,
416 modify, censor, or prosecute an officer or employee at fault or negligently in the
417 performance of any act. take any action or perform any duty required under this
418 regulation Action, shall be grounds for disciplinary action against the officer.
419
420 The CHR also documents cases of discrimination under SOGIE and includes these
421 documented cases in its annual human rights report. The Commission is actively
422 advising various departments of government on how to deal with and eliminate
423 discrimination based on SOGIE.
424
425 SECTION 9. Programs to Promote Non-Discriminatory and Diversity . – To
426 eliminate all forms of discrimination, the State is pursuing initiatives and programs
427 aimed at creating an environment free of stigma and discrimination. It directs state
428 mechanisms and resources to promote indiscrimination and encourages other

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429 sectors of society to participate in these efforts. This guarantees the implementation
430 of the following programs:
431
432 a) A training program for understanding Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity,
433 and Gender Expression (SOGIE)
434 b) Mandate awareness – raising campaign with media, public, and private
435 institutions, educational and training institutions.
436 c) Providing guidelines in:
437 i. Assisting victims of SOGIE-based discrimination and abuse.
438 d) Integrate orientation of the rights of Persons of Diverse SOGIE in both
439 educational public, and private institutions including;
440 i. Crafting of non-discriminatory workplace policies in recruitment, job
441 promotion, and evaluation criteria, training, and education.
442 e) Social Protection Programs – The government ensures that the stigmatized
443 and discriminated communities for SOGIE are included in the state's social
444 protection programs, including Pride Month.
445 f) Diversity Programs and Policies – All government agencies, and state-owned
446 enterprises, private companies, public and private educational institutions,
447 and other organizations need to establish a diversity program to ensure the
448 prevention of human rights violations and SOGIE-based violence. They also
449 create internal remedies to deal with cases of discrimination and develop
450 administrative remedies or sanctions for such cases. Public authorities will
451 integrate these programs into existing gender and development programs
452 g) Information and Education Campaign – All government agencies are required
453 to institute and administer SOGIE-specific gender-sensitivity education and
454 dissemination of information. They strive to create and publish information
455 and educational materials on gender and human rights.
456
457 SECTION 10. Mandatory SOGIE Representative.
458
459 It shall be the policy of the state to ensure the protection of the rights of all Filipinos
460 regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and sexual characteristics. To
461 forestall many economic and public accommodation related acts of discrimination
462 against individuals supported their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
463 There should be an LGBTQI+ representative who shall serve as an ex officio
464 member of Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panglalawigan, Sangguniang
465 Panglunsod to protects the rights and promotes the welfare of LGBTQI+
466 communities to address misconceptions and empower citizens to equality, diversity,
467 and human rights.
468
469 SECTION 11. Bagong Katipunan ng Kasariang Ilaladlad (BKKI) – There shall
470 be in every barangay a gender federation to become false of all citizens of the

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471 Philippines residing in the barangay for at least 6 months or at least 15 but not
472 more than 30 years of age and who are duly registered in the list of the Commission
473 on Elections (COMELEC) and/or the records of the Sangguniang
474
475 SECTION 12. Congressional Oversight Committee. – For the effective
476 implementation of this Act, there shall be created a Congressional Oversight
477 Committee, hereinafter referred to as the SOGIE Equality Oversight Committee
478 (SEOC), within sixty (60) days after the enactment of this Act. The SEOC shall be
479 composed of ten (10) members from the Senate and the House of Representatives,
480 which shall include the following: the Chairperson and two (2) members of the
481 Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality; the
482 Chairperson and one (1) member of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human
483 Rights; the Chairperson and two (2) members of the House Committee on Women
484 and Gender Equality; and the Chairperson and one (1) member of the House
485 Committee on Justice. The members of the SEOC shall be appointed by the Senate
486 President and the Speaker of the House, respectively, with at least one (1) member
487 representing the Minority.
488
489 The SEOC shall be jointly chaired by the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on
490 Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality and the House Committee
491 on Women and Gender Equality. The Vice-Chair of the SEOC shall be jointly held by
492 the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights and the
493 House Committee on Justice. The Secretariat shall come from the existing
494 Secretariat personnel of the Senate and the House of Representatives committees
495 concerned.
496
497 The SEOC shall monitor the compliance of public institutions to the provisions of this
498 Act. Within three years after the enactment of this Act, the SEOC shall conduct an
499 audit of national and local policies that discriminate on the basis of SOGIE, and shall
500 submit a report to Congress, the Office of the President, and the Supreme Court, on
501 the subject.
502
503 The SEOC shall cease to exist six years after its organization.
504
505 SECTION 13. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared
506 invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall
507 remain in full force and effect.
508
509 SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, administrative
510 orders, and rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
511 amended accordingly.
512

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513 SECTION 15. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
514 after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of
515 general circulation.
516
517 Approved,

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