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House panel pushes LGBT protection

MANILA, Jan. 3 (PNA) -- All police stations across the country will soon have dedicated help desks to address the acts of discrimination and violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) sector as the bill gains traction in the House of Representatives.

According to a statement on Tuesday, the House committee on public order and safety, chaired by Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, has approved House Bill No. 2952 seeking to create LGBT help and protection desks in all Philippine National Police (PNP) stations nationwide.

The bill’s author, Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, said in a committee hearing that an amendment of the law will provide full and long-term protection to LGBT citizens.

Santos-Recto said this in response to the proposal to establish the LGBT protection desks through a memorandum order or resolution to be issued by the National Police Commission instead of a new law to be passed by Congress.

“Coming up with a memorandum order with a resolution is good because this will provide urgent response to the discrimination problem faced by the LGBTs. But we have to think long-term. It’s easier to issue a memorandum order rather than amending the law,” Santos-Recto said.

"What we’re pushing for is the full protection of our LGBTs not only in this term. I hope this will be made permanent through a law, not only through a resolution. I hope this committee will support this endeavor," she added.

She argued that while members of the LGBT sector are more open now, there is still discrimination against them which should not be the case.

She also said she will coordinate with the House committee on women and gender equality regarding the title of the bill as well as harmonization of terms, especially in the use of gender-sensitive terms.

Acop said the approval of the bill is subject to the requirement that the PNP, the authorized representative of the Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network (LAGABLAB), and Santos-Recto will see to it that the corresponding amendments to existing laws will be incorporated in the substitute bill.

The proposed LGBT desks shall act on all cases involving crimes against chastity, sexual harassment and committed against members of the LGBT community.

Under the measure, the PNP shall be tasked to ensure gender neutrality of its human resources, from the recruitment and selection, to the promotion and deployment of police officers.

"Ultimately, this bill seeks to create a police organization that is able and eager to respond to any criminal or emergency incident, regardless of the gender orientation of the people involved," said Santos-Recto.

The bill seeks to amend certain provisions of Republic Act 8551, also known as the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, by adding the LGBT help desks. (PNA)
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