Gays in Congress? Nograles is amused
SPEAKER Prospero Nograles yesterday described as "amusing" the observation of Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer that the third sex is overly represented in Congress.
"That’s also kind of funny because as the Speaker, I have such a hard time figuring out who is what and what is who and why is who a what or why is what a who," he told reporters.
Ferrer had declined to name names but said these personalities already abound in Congress and are more than sufficient in numbers to do away with the need to accredit "Ang Ladlad" which represents gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals.
The Comelec Second Division chaired by Ferrer last week denied Ang Ladlad’s petition for accreditation citing the danger of exposing the youth to immorality.
On Monday, Ferrer again stood by the decision, saying it has enough legal bases under the Revised Penal Code which defines immoral as being "those who shall publicly expound or proclaim doctrines openly contrary to public morals."
Rep. Liza Maza (PL, Gabriela) said Ferrer’s explanation does not justify the Comelec Second Division’s eight-page ruling.
"Commissioner Ferrer should name names and substantiate his claim but that does not justify the denial of representation of gays and lesbians in Congress," he said.
Rep. Edno Joson (Ind., Nueva Ecija) said Ferrer would be in trouble once he names names.
"He was just saying that there are gays and lesbians in Congress. Naming names will get him into trouble," he said.
Rep. Mujiv Hataman (PL, Anak Mindanao) said the Comelec has no power and authority to judge any group’s morality in a political exercise.
"We sympathize with Ang Ladlad’s disqualification as party-list because we believe that it is not within Comelec’s or any government institution’s mandate to judge any person’s or group’s morality," he said.
Ang Ladlad chairman Danton Remoto said they do not have any definite idea who these lawmakers that are supposedly gay members are.
"Meron nga ba? Sino sila? We don’t know who they are. We have our own suspicions but it does not mean it is confirmed," Remoto said.
"Not because they are lesbians or gays, it would already mean they will automatically support us. They are even quiet about us," he said.
Remoto said they will file their motion for reconsideration on Monday. "We will fight for this talaga!" – With Gerard Naval
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