AS A PROPONENT gender balance in the selection of this Chamber's leaderhip, it ess very disappointing to me that the election of a woman Deputy Speaker yesterday was marred with sexism and trivializing.

As an institution, Congress is expected to embody the sense of equality and dignity that a Constitution affirms.  Each Member of this Chamber is therefore expected to personify the basic principles of human rights and dignity, equality of all, justice and wisdom.

The issue was raised by this Representation at the beginning of the 14th Congress because this Chamber has been remiss in ensuring gender balance in choosing its leaders.  In terms of leadership selection, this Chamber has walked like, talked like and acted like a university fraternity.  No wonder as I have stressed in a speech last week, why no law on women’s rights was enacted during the 13th Congress. 

But electing a woman Deputy Speaker should not be an act of tokenism.  I hope that Representative Villarosa was not elected to handle “women’s issue” so called.  To think so would be to confirm that Congress women are second-class legislators.  To believe so would be to commit an act of segregation that only the woman Deputy Speaker should be concerned with women’s issues and the rest of the leadership can just ignore  one half of society. I also hope that the woman Deputy Speaker was not elected because of her political affinity, because otherwise it would just doubled the act of tokenism.  Again, leadership selection must be based  on competence not patronage. 

It is also disturbing to note, Mr. Speaker, that homophobia was used to question the exercise of gender balance in the election of the woman Deputy Speaker.  In the same manner that the positions of leadership in Congress are not reserved for men, they should not be reserved exclusively for heterosexuals alone. It is disturbing to note that discriminatory remarks were made yesterday.  We should constantly remind ourselves that this Chamber’s mandate comes from all Filipinos.  From straight men and women, from lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders.  There would be nothing wrong with the lesbian Speaker of the House, or a gay Deputy Speaker, and one’s sexual orientation should not be the basis of selecting our leaders.

Homophobia – or hatred against homosexuals – is a breeding ground for discrimination and other forms of abuses.  When we convey to the public that they do not deserve to be selected to the leadership of the House, we are limiting opportunities that should be accorded to all.  When we question their capacity and competence on the basis of their sexual orientation, we are imposing a limitation to their exercise and enjoyment of their equal rights and fundamental freedoms.  This, according to the United Nations, is an act of discrimination that violates various human rights instruments and conventions that the Philippines has signed.

In light of what took place yesterday, Mr. Speaker, this Representation wishes to make, in turn,  two motions:

First, I respectfully  move that the reference to the words “Third Sex” be stricken off from the House Journal and the official records of this Chamber, for the simple reason that the term represents homophobia and sexism.  There is no such a creature and there is no hierarchy among the sexes.  To use the term is to perpetuate the false notion that men belong to the first or the superior sex, women to the second and inferior sex, and lesbians and gays to the third and most inferior to the third and most inferior sex.

I also encourage my dear colleagues to refrain from using third sex again and to use instead the more appropriate term which is lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender or LGBT.  

I so move, Mr. Speaker. 

Second and lastly, I also move that the House Secretariat be directed to develop a gender sensitivity program for Members of Congress. If possible, let’s make this program mandatory so as to educate ourselves that the issues of women are issues of men as well, and that women’s rights are part  of human rights.  

Again, I so move, Mr. Speaker.

Marami pong salamat, Mr. Speaker, at sa inyong lahat din.