MANILA, Philippines – Nangako si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., ng patas na proteksyon at paggalang para sa LGBTQIA+ community habang nakiisa sa pagdiriwang ng Pride Month.
Sa isang mensahe, sinabi ng Pangulo na nananatiling committed ang gobyerno na tiyakin ang ‘dignity, inclusion, at equal opportunities’ para sa lahat ng filipino anuman ang pagkakakilanlan ng mga ito.
“As we celebrate Pride Month, the government reaffirms a principle that must never waver: every Filipino is entitled to equal protection, equal opportunity, and equal respect under the law,” ayon sa Pangulo.
Binigyang diin ni Pangulong Marcos na “inclusion should not remain only in words.”
“It must be reflected in our policies, strengthened by our institutions, and practiced in our everyday actions as a people,” aniya pa rin.
Sa kabilang dako, kinilal naman ng Pangulo ang kontribusyon ng LGBTQIA+ community sa bansa pamamagitan ng “talent, service, at leadership.”
“The LGBTQIA+ Community has long helped shape our country’s progress through its talent, service, and leadership,” ang pahayag ng Pangulo.
“To overlook these contributions is to deny an essential part of the Filipino story,” dagdag na wika nito.
Wala aniyang pinoy ang makararamdan na hindi sila kasali sa lipunan dahil lamang sa kanilang ‘identity.’
“Let this observance send a clear message: no Filipino should ever be made to feel invisible in the country they help build,” ang tinuran ng Pangulo.
“No one should ever be forced to conceal who they are in order to earn acceptance and understanding,”aniya pa rin.
Samantala, kinilala naman ng Pangulo ang pakikibakang kinahaharap ng mga miyembro ng LGBTQIA+ community para tanggapin ng lipunan at ikasa ang pagkakapantay-pantay.
“This observance honors the courage of those who refused to be excluded or denied their rightful place in society,” ani Pangulong Marcos.
“It reminds us that the freedoms and recognition enjoyed today were not freely given, they were won through struggle, sacrifice, and the belief that every person deserves dignity,” ang sinabi pa rin ng Chief Executive.
Nanawagan naman ang Pangulo para sa pagkakaisa, pakikiramay at lakas ng loob habang ipinagdiriwang ng bansa ang Pride Month sa ilalim ng “Bagong Pilipinas” vision.
“As we forge a Bagong Pilipinas, let us move forward together with compassion, respect, and courage,” ayon sa Pangulo.
“Let us stand united in defending the welfare of every Filipino and in creating a future where no one is left behind because of who they are, how they identify, or whom they love,” aniya pa rin.
Habang tinugunan ng nakalipas na administrasyon ang usapin ukol sa LGBTQIA+ sa iba’t ibang paraan, wala namang malawak na documented record ng pormal na mensahe para sa Pride Month na ipinalabas ng isang sitting president bago si Pangulong Marcos.
At bago pa maging Pangulo ng bansa, nagpahayag na si Pangulong Marcos ng kanyang pagiging bukas na kilalanin ang same-sex civil unions kung ipapasa ng Kongreso ang panukalang batas para rito. (KRIS JOSE)
