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Alvarez clarifies, wants to legalize same-sex civil unions, not marriage

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RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/nation/10/5/pantaleon-alvarez-100516.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez</div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA – House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez intends to file a bill legalizing civil union between same-sex couples, and not marriage as was first announced on Monday.Alvarez might have gotten confused when he first spoke of wanting to <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/03/16/house-speaker-wants-same-sex-marriage-legalized">legalize same-sex marriages</a> on Monday, said Bataan Representative Geraldine Roman, the country&#x27;s first transgender lawmaker. Roman is looking to possibly co-author the bill that Alvarez is mulling.&quot;Gusto niyang (Alvarez) kilalanin ang pagkakapantay-pantay at karapatang pantao ng mamamayan natin who just happen to be members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community,&quot; Roman said.The term &quot;marriage&quot; has a religious connotation, she said, and &quot;certain sectors…want an exclusive hold on the term.&quot;At present, lawmakers are studying different ways to address the needs of same sex relationships, particularly regarding the inheritance of property, the right to decide on the future of your spouse if they fall ill, and the possibility of adopting children, Roman said, and noted that Alvarez is also looking at how the bill can help heterosexual couples who are in common-law relationships.She said that she hopes critics can keep an open mind regarding the bill. &quot;If explained well…I think we can convince a lot of people, usually ang sarado ang isip…the sky will not fall if a civil union bill is passed.&quot;&quot;What we will have are happier citizens. Live and let live. Be happy and let others be happy,&quot; she said, and dismissed possible opposition from the Catholic Church, citing the separation between Church and State.Yesterday, lawmakers said they were caught off-guard by Alvarez’s announcement of his intention to file a bill legalizing same-sex unions in the country, and questioned the Speaker&#x27;s reasons and timing for his announcement.<ul class="op-related-articles" title="Read">	<li>READ: <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/04/16/minority-solons-wonder-why-alvarez-backing-same-sex-marriage-now">Minority solons wonder why Alvarez backing same-sex marriage now</a></li></ul>Roman was quick to defend her fellow lawmaker, and said that Alvarez has long advocated for LGBT rights.

MANILA – House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez intends to file a bill legalizing civil union between same-sex couples, and not marriage as was first announced on Monday.

MANILA – House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez intends to file a bill legalizing civil union between same-sex couples, and not marriage as was first announced on Monday.

Alvarez clarifies, wants to legalize same-sex civil unions, not marriage

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Alvarez clarifies, wants to legalize same-sex civil unions, not marriage

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 05, 2016 03:25 PM PHT

|

Updated January 11, 2018 03:52 PM PHT

Read More:

same-sex marriage

same-sex union

Pantaleon Alvarez

LGBT

Geraldine Roman

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