Go reiterates PRRD for anti-discrimination law, not SOGIE bill

DAVAO CITY -- Senator Christopher Lawrence Go reiterated the previous announcement of Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Wednesday that President Rodrigo Duterte is not pushing for the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill.

Instead, Go said Duterte would support any anti-discrimination legislation that is patterned to a similar ordinance that was enacted in Davao City when the President was vice mayor.

"There has been a misunderstanding during PRRD's previous press conference. What he is implying is his support to the anti-discrimination law," Go said during an interview on Friday here.

The clarification came after Duterte bared on Tuesday night his plan to certify as urgent the SOGIE bill. The news gained negative feedbacks from sectors opposed to the SOGIE bill.

Go said the President was misunderstood.

"He wanted the anti-discrimination law to be patterned like the one approved in Davao when he was then the vice mayor," Go said.

In December 2012, the City Council approved the Anti-discrimination ordinance (ADO) which penalizes all forms of discrimination. It defines discrimination as “acts committed when a person impinges on the right or freedom of another on the basis of national or ethnic origin, religious affiliation or belief, gender, descent, race or color.”

The ordinance enumerated several prohibited acts, such as refusing employment, admission in any academic institution and entry in restaurants, bars, stores, movie houses, theaters, malls or other business establishments by reason of ethnic origin, religious affiliation or belief, sex, gender, identity, or sexual orientation, descent, race, or color.

"That is what he [Pres. Duterte] wanted. I think this law will be favored by the majority," he added.

Despite turning down the SOGIE bill, the senator disclosed that President Duterte will adhere to his promise on the holding of a national convention for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community.

Go was in the city as the guest speaker during the graduation rites of the 1st Fire Basic Recruit Course (FBRC) class ‘Mawaraw” 2019-04.

About 265 graduates coming from regions 10, 11 and Caraga completed the 640 hours of training, making them the first batch to finish the course. (PNA)