Risa Hontiveros files SOGIE equality bill anew
Hontiveros, a pro-LGBTQIA+ advocate, has long been pushing for the passage of the SOGIESC Equality Bill, which seeks to protect individuals and communities that are at a greater risk of experiencing human rights violations on the basis of SOGIESC.
The proposed piece of legislation was included in Hontiveros' top 10 priority bills for the incoming 20th Congress, which is set to convene its first session on July 28.
"For a long time, exclusion and discrimination has been the reality of persons of diverse SOGIESC. The prejudice they experience have far-reaching effects, resulting in the deprivation of their full enjoyment of fundamental human rights," the explanatory note of the unnumbered bill read.
"Addressing the human rights gap must not stop at the local and administrative level. The national government must also work to address the lack of protective legislation and supportive policies to safeguard the right of all persons against discrimination on the basis of their SOGIESC," it added.
Included as proposed discriminatory practices on the basis of the SOGIESC are:
Refusing admission or expelling a person from any educational or training institution open to the general public, including police and military academies or training institutions;
Refusing or revoking the accreditation, formal recognition, registration or plan to organize of any organization, group, political party, institution, or establishment;
Denying a person access to emergency and/or necessary health services open to the general public;
Subjecting a person deprived of liberty to extortion, physical, verbal abuse, or sexual abuse, and cruel and degrading punishment, because of their SOGIESC.
Also among Hontiveros' proposed legislative measures for the 20th Congress are the P200 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act of 2025, Anti-ENDO and Contracting Law, Interns' Right and Welfare Act of 2025, and Anti-Hospital Detention bill. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
Atom Araullo urges young journalists: Be brave, responsible in the digital age
For award-winning journalist Atom Araullo, truth-telling is no longer just the job of newsrooms; it now belongs to everyone with a phone and a platform. The GMA Integrated News anchor and documentarist was in Cebu on Friday, July 4, 2025, to serve as commencement speaker in the 86th commencement ceremony of the University of the Philippines Cebu. Araullo, an alumnus of UP Diliman, anchors "State of the Nation" and creates documentaries for "The Atom Araullo Specials" and "I-Witness." Before the graduation ceremony began at 2 p.m., Araullo faced the local press during which he shared his thoughts on journalism, social responsibility, and how young people can shape public conversation. 'Everybody, I think, today, should consider themselves a journalist,' Araullo said. 'Because the way we use social media is shorthand for how we do our job. So we gather information, we verify the proof or veracity of that information. And we make a decision whether or not to post it, to amplify it, to comment about it,' he added. Araullo encouraged young journalists to embrace their voice and purpose, even in an age where professional media "no longer have the monopoly of information." 'I always tell young journalists to be bolder, believe that they have a voice — and that their voice, in a way, is even more influential than people who work in mainstream media, because that is the power of youth,' he said. 'You are unblemished, in a way, and there is an assumption that you're just working for your future. So be courageous, and also show the way to people and older journalists who might be becoming jaded through the years,' he added. He added that activism and truth-telling are not limited to big acts but can happen quietly within personal circles. 'You don't have to fight with people you don't know online. It's a waste of energy. But if you have chat groups — family chat groups — maybe your uncle posted something like this, or maybe your aunt posted something like this… we should start with our immediate circle and make sure that we're being part of the solution,' he said. Araullo also warned against the dangers of unchecked technology and artificial intelligence (AI), calling for clear ethical boundaries early on. 'With AI, we should be… Well, hopefully, we've learned our lesson. This early, we should already set the guardrails,' he said. 'We should engage and we should use it in a way that is open-minded. We should know that it can be used for bad purposes. At the same time, we should also accept that it's here. It's like a Pandora's box. You open it, there's no putting it back,' he added. UP Cebu President Angelo A. Jimenez emphasized the role of scientific innovation in activism, saying that today's revolution comes from labs, not just the streets. 'Activism should be a way of life… Every time Atom Araullo exposes a social injustice, that's activism,' he said. 'They say activism is trying to overthrow the government. But really, the most revolutionary changes that has happened in the world are created in science laboratories… activism is conducted in quieter places, in simple places, in calm places,' he added. A total of 480 students graduated across nine programs this 2025, stepping into a world where, as Jimenez reminded them, meaningful change can come from both quiet work and bold action, 'from the regions, for the nation.' A MESSAGE OF HUMILITY AND SERVICE In his speech, Araullo opened up about his own uncertainties, calling himself an introvert and sharing that he skipped his own graduation ceremony in 2005 for no deep reason, just because he was 'a corny student, feeling cool.' To make up for it, he said he brought his parents with him to UP Cebu, 20 years later, to finally march with them by his side. 'The truth is, this celebration is not just for students, but also for the people who supported you on this journey… You are here not just for yourself, but also for them,' he said. The seasoned journalist didn't present himself as someone with all the answers, but instead offered hard-earned insights from two decades of navigating what he called a 'chaotic, ever-changing, beautiful, but often heartbreaking world.' Araullo also reminded the graduates of the role they now play in shaping the future of a country that remains both beautiful and deeply unequal. 'The Philippines is a country of breathtaking beauty, and Filipinos are a people of myriad talents… But behind every celebration of Filipino pride is a harsh and undeniable truth: millions still live every day in conditions of uncertainty, injustice, and marginalization,' he said. He urged the graduates to understand, not judge, and to walk with the poor and the unheard, not out of charity, but out of justice. 'You don't have to be poor to stand with the poor. You just have to care enough to act, because in the end we are only as strong and as successful as the most vulnerable among us.' He also spoke out on the war in Gaza, calling it a genocide and encouraging graduates not to look away. 'The killing of children, the destruction of homes, hospitals, and schools — these are crimes that history will remember. And it will ask us, 'Where were you? What did you say? And what did you do?'' he said. He further added that 'service is not a sacrifice, it is a privilege. And understanding is not weakness, it is the foundation of strength.'
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
PAGCOR duty-bound to follow laws on online gambling
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Friday welcomed proposed measures seeking to put stricter regulations on online gambling. 'It is the prerogative of our lawmakers to propose laws which they think will be beneficial to the public,' PAGCOR said in a statement. 'PAGCOR is duty-bound to follow any and all relevant regulations once they are passed by Congress and signed into law by the President,' the state-run gaming firm added. The gaming industry regulator issued the statement after several lawmakers filed bills banning the promotion of online gambling and its linkage to electronic wallets (e-wallets). In particular, Bukidnon Reps. Keith Flores, Jose Alba, Audrey Zubiri, Laarni Roque and Arlyn Ayon made the proposal under their House Bill 721 or the Anti-Online Gambling Promotions in E-Wallet Act. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian also filed a bill that would prohibit the use of e-wallet for online gambling, increase the online gambling age restriction from 18 to 21, as well put a minimum bet of P10,000 and top-up of P5,000. 'In the meantime, rest assured that PAGCOR remains fully committed to intensifying its efforts in the ongoing battle against the proliferation of illegal online gaming activities, together with like-minded agencies and organizations and with the support of all gaming industry stakeholders,' the gaming industry regulator said. The country's gaming industry saw its total revenues grow to P104.12 billion in the first quarter of 2025, up 27.44% year-on-year, driven for the first time by the growing popularity of electronic games among Filipinos. PAGCOR reported earlier that e-games and e-bingo became the gaming industry's top revenue driver for the first time, accounting for P51.39 billion or 49.36% of the total; outpacing licensed casinos which contributed P49.28 billion or 47.32%. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
15 cops under ‘restricted duty' over missing sabungeros — SOJ Remulla
Fifteen police officers who allegedly carry out executions in the missing sabungeros case have been placed under restricted duty, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Friday. 'May restriction na nga sa 15 tao ng PNP na involved dito sa missing sabungero case,' Remulla said in an ambush interview. (There is already a restriction imposed on the 15 PNP personnel involved in the missing sabungero case.) Asked what their involvement is, Remulla said they 'carry out executions.' 'Restricted duty na sila. They have to report already to offices para doon na sila. Para hindi na sila makasakit,' Remulla said. (They are now on restricted duty. They have to report to offices so they remain there. This is to prevent them from causing any further harm.) Meanwhile, the families of the missing sabungeros met with Remulla and other officials of the Department of Justice earlier in the day. The visit came after Remulla said that businessman Atong Ang and actress Gretchen Barreto are now considered suspects in the case after one of the accused linked them to the abductions. 'Ang sabi ko naman sa kanila, pumasok kami dito three years ago, the deadline was always yesterday. Laging mga problema namin, backlog lagi ang problema unang pasok pa lang namin,' Remulla said. (What I told them was, we entered here three years ago, and the deadline was always yesterday. From the very start, our main problem has always been the backlog.) 'Pero hindi kami tumitigil talaga. We're not leaving any stone unturned para ma-solve natin itong mga kaso na ito,' he added. (But we really never stop. We're not leaving any stone unturned to solve these cases.) Accused Julie "Dondon" Patidongan, alyas Totoy, tagged Ang as the mastermind behind the abductions. Patidongan, who claimed to be a security chief in Ang's farms and cockfight arenas, also linked Barretto to the disappearances. For his part, Ang maintained his innocence as he filed a complaint against Patidongan on Thursday, accusing the latter of trying to extort P300 million from him. He said Patidongan and another former employee threatened to implicate him in the missing sabungeros case if he refused to give them P300 million. Ang's camp also appealed to the government to look at other leads instead of one lead that is "false and misleading." His camp asked the government to not believe in a whistleblower who allegedly distorts information. For her part, Barretto told GMA Integrated News that she would call as soon as her team is ready. Remulla said Patidongan is currently under police protection.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
