After Comelec, Congress vs LGBTs

Solon seeks to criminalize same-sex unionBy GABRIEL S. MABUTASDecember 8, 2009, 6:24pm
A lawmaker called Tuesday for the enactment of a law that would criminalize same-sex union in the country, saying the absence of such measure might just invite same-sex couples to explore the possibility of getting married.
Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, Jr. sought to penalize such marriage through House Bill 6919.
In making his proposal, Abante said such marriage should be discouraged by a criminalizing measure because it is “highly immoral, scandalous and detestable act.”
He said if such a union “becomes a reality in this part of the globe, that would snap the remaining strand of our moral values.”
Abante, chairman of the House committee on public information, said there is no specific provision in the Revised Penal Code penalizing a person for marrying another of the same gender, neither is there a provision penalizing a person for solemnizing the marriage of persons of the same gender.
“While there is no documented same-sex marriage yet in our country, the absence of clear legislation serves as an invitation to same-sex marriage,” Abante said.
Under the bill, violators faces 15 years of imprisonment and a fine of not more than P150,000.
The bill provides that anybody who misdeclares or hides his or her true sex or gender for the purpose of securing a marriage license faces a 12-year jail term and a fine of P100,000.
Likewise, the bill also seeks to punish any person who shall issue a marriage license, or who shall solemnize the marriage of persons of the same sex or gender with imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of not more than P100,000.
Under the bill, if the offender is a public officer, he or she shall be dismissed from employment and be barred from subsequent employment in any government office.
If the offender is authorized to solemnize marriage, his or her license or authority to solemnize marriage shall be revoked without need of further proceedings and shall be perpetually barred from solemnizing marriage.
It shall be the duty of the Local Civil Registrar and the solemnizing officer to first ascertain the true sex or gender of the parties before issuing a marriage license and solemnizing a marriage.
“Any marriage license issued, and any marriage solemnized, in violation of this measure shall be declared null and void,” Abante said.