Lawmaker Condemns Harassment of LGBTQIA+ Community in Maguindanao del Sur

House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Representative Sarah Elago strongly criticized the reported harassment and public humiliation of lesbian and gay individuals in Pagalungan, Maguindanao del Sur, allegedly directed by the municipal mayor and enforced by barangay officials.

Elago emphasized that "there is no law in the Philippines that criminalizes same-sex relationships." She underscored, "No law penalizes being lesbian or gay, but there are laws that prohibit harassment and discrimination."

She highlighted that such actions violate the Philippine Constitution, the Bawal Bastos Law (Republic Act 11313), the Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act 9710), and the country’s commitments to international human rights standards.

"These acts unlawfully single out individuals based on their sexual orientation and infringe upon their rights to privacy, security, and dignity," Elago stated.

The legislator described the incident in Pagalungan as "a painful reminder of the vulnerability of our LGBTQIA+ communities in the absence of explicit legal safeguards."

Elago further stressed the real-life impact of such discrimination: "Every time these incidents occur, we see that the lack of protective laws is not an abstract issue – real people, families, and lives are affected."

She called for the immediate passage of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill, noting that "equality should not depend on the goodwill of local officials; it must be ensured by legislation."

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has also voiced serious concern over the November 11 incident in Barangay Layog, Pagalungan, where reports indicate that lesbian and gay adults were compelled to present themselves at the barangay hall, and same-sex couples cohabiting were forcibly separated.

This case underscores the urgent need for comprehensive legal protections for the LGBTQIA+ community in the Philippines.