Ang Ladlad's own petition indicating intimate same-sex relations, brought that decision upon itself

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has rejected the petition of a group representing the "third sex" to be accredited for the party list on the ground that it "tolerates immorality, which offends religious beliefs."

In an 8-page resolution, the Comelec cited the Ang Ladlad LGBT's advocacy of sexual immorality with same-sex relationships.

The group--which claims to represent lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and trans-genders--brought the unfavorable decision upon itself. In its petition for accreditation, it described itself as representative of a marginalized and under-represented sector that is particularly disadvantaged because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Moreover, it defined the sexual orientation of the sector it is representing as capable of "profound emotional, affectional, and sexual orientation to, and intimate and sexual relations with, individuals of a different gender, of the same gender, or more than one gender."

Thus, the Comelec's resolution that "the definition of LGBT sector makes it crystal clear that petitioners tolerates immorality which offends religious beliefs."

The resolution quoted passages from the Bible and the Koran about God showing his wrath against people who engage in same sex relationship.

Protecting the youth

Although Republic Act 7941, the party list law, doesn't specifically list down immorality as a ground for banning a group from the party list, its Section 6.2 is indicative. It says that a group may be denied party-list participation if "it advocates violence or unlawful means to seek its goal."

The Comelec's law department said that laws should be incorporated in all contracts, permits, license, including accreditations. In the case of Ang Ladlad, the group collides with the provision of the Civil Code and the Revised Penal Code. Comelec said that Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code penalizes immoral doctrines, among them publicly expounding or proclaiming doctrines openly contrary to public morality. While Article 1409 of the Civil Code considers as void contracts whose purpose is contrary to morals and good customs.

"Should this Commission grant the petition, we will be exposing our youth to an environment that does not conform to the teachings of our faith.... As an agency of the government, ours too is the State's avowed duty to protect our youth from moral and spiritual degradation," the resolution said.

Ang Ladlad, through its president Danton Remoto, called the Comelec's decision unfounded and based solely on religious beliefs.

"This is a decision by a very old man with obsolete ideas on homosexuality. They quoted something from the Internet, and did not even visit the library to research. This is an evidence of intellectual bankruptcy," he said, adding that Comelec did not arbitrate based on evidence and documents, but just quoted verses from the Bible.

Remoto belied that they are advocating immorality, but they are supporting human rights for all.

He said Ang Ladlad is set to file a motion for reconsideration, but is expecting the Comelec to junk their appeal. Remoto said they will also bring their petition to the Supreme Court.

If all else fails, Remoto said he will run for a senatorial seat next year to prove that Ang Ladlad has the support of the sector he represents.

In 2007, the Comelec junked Ang Ladlad's petition for accreditation for its failure to disclose the scope of its membership. The group claimed to be a national party, but field offices of the Comelec said that the group didn't have chapters in most regions of the country. (Newsbreak)

RELATED STORIES
• Urban poor, seafarers groups appeal party list disqualification
• ‘File disqualification case vs bogus party-list groups’

---

INTERACT WITH THIS ARTICLE