Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde. (File photo)
MANILA -- There is no need to pass the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Equality (SOGIE) bill as the Constitution provides equal rights to every Filipino, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde said Tuesday.
“We are all protected by no less than our Constitution. The Constitution provides ample protection for everyone already and we have laws already that protects our individual rights and privacy. As for me, we cannot make laws that is tailor-fit to a certain group only. Let us not make laws just to satisfy a certain person, a certain individual or a certain group. Otherwise, everybody will have their own laws,” Albayalde told reporters when sought for a comment.
Citing the case of Gretchen Diez, Albayalde said compliance with basic laws remains supreme.
“We do not discriminate but we have laws to follow, just the same that these people, alam naman dapat nila kung saan sila pupunta at lulugar (they should know where to go and they should know their place),” said Albayalde.
Diez, who claims to be a transgender, was prevented from using a restroom intended for women in a mall in Cubao, Quezon City.
"We really cannot see any wisdom on crafting a law just for that purpose alone. I don't think that we need that kind of law just for that purpose also and just for those people alone,” said Albayalde, citing the recent statement of Senator Nancy Binay that given such circumstances, she should also file a bill that protects her rights against discrimination due to complexion.
Under the measure, it is unlawful to “ridicule, to commit harassment, disallow the entry from any establishment, promote discrimination and to commit any act that demeans the dignity and self-respect of a person.”
The SOGIE bill, which was refiled by Senator Risa Hontiveros in the 18th Congress, seeks to penalize those discriminating against the LGBT community by a fine of PHP100,000 to PHP500,000 or imprisonment of six to 12 years subject to the discretion of the court. (PNA)
