The Legislative Branch of Government

[Naga Boy]

Originally Posted by hakz2007

After triggering family feud, bill dividing Camarines Sur stirs Senate tiff


He also cautioned the Senate against gerrymandering, or the manipulation of the geographical boundaries of an electoral constituency to give the political advantage to a particular party.

Aside from Santiago, those who signed her report were committee vice chairman, Senator Edgardo Angara, Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Manuel Lapid, and ex-officio members Sotto and Senate President Pro-Tempore Jose Estrada.

Those who refused to sign the report were Senators Manny Villar, Panfilo Lacson, Antonio Trillanes IV, Aquilino Pimentel III, Alan Peter Cayetano and Marcos.

Read more

Remember these people in favor of gerrymandering:
Meriam Defensor- Santiago,
Edgardo Angara,
Franklin Drilon,
Francis Pangilinan,
Manuel Lapid,
Tito Sotto
Jose Estrada.

Also remember these level headed people
Manny Villar,
Panfilo Lacson,
Antonio Trillanes IV,
Aquilino Pimentel III,
Alan Peter Cayetano
Ferdinand Marcos. Jr.
Joker Arroyo

[jardet]

Originally Posted by hakz2007

After triggering family feud, bill dividing Camarines Sur stirs Senate tiff

MANILA, Philippines -- The bill seeking to divide Camarines Sur, which has seen Representative Luis Villafuerte at loggerheads with his son, Governor Luis Raymonr Jr. or “LRay,” has proven to be just as contentious in the Senate, pitting Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against each other.

The controversy over House Bill 4820, which seeks to create the new province of Nueva Camarines, also prompted a warning from Senator Joker Arroyo against creating another “headache” and worsening the animosity between the Villafuertes.

The Senate row was sparked by Santiago’s filing the report of the committee on constitutional amendments, which she chairs, on HB 4820 ahead of the primary body tackling the measure, Mrcos’ committee on local government and urban planning.

Santiago’s bid to have her committee’s report included in the official business of the Senate, which would have led to deliberation and voting on the bill, was immediately opposed by Marcos.

“How can a secondary committee file a committee report ahead of the primary committee?” Marcos asked.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto nipped the tiff in the bud by ruling, on behalf of the committee on rules, which he chairs, to set aside Santiago’s report.

He said the notice Marcos served in a letter, that he would be filing a separate committee report on HB 4820, made the setting aside of Santiago’s report “automatic.”

There was also no opposition to Sotto’s motion to prioritize the recommendation of Marcos’ committee on the bill proposing the creation of Nueva Camarines.

Arroyo, who also opposed Santiago’s move, said: “May I remind this chamber that the only result in approving the measure is creating a deeper division among the members of the feuding family over the proposed bill.”

He also cautioned the Senate against gerrymandering, or the manipulation of the geographical boundaries of an electoral constituency to give the political advantage to a particular party.

Aside from Santiago, those who signed her report were committee vice chairman, Senator Edgardo Angara, Senators Franklin Drilon, Francis Pangilinan, Manuel Lapid, and ex-officio members Sotto and Senate President Pro-Tempore Jose Estrada.

Those who refused to sign the report were Senators Manny Villar, Panfilo Lacson, Antonio Trillanes IV, Aquilino Pimentel III, Alan Peter Cayetano and Marcos.

The Nacionalista Party, which Villar heads and to which Trillanes, Marcos and the Cayetanos belong, had earlier vowed to oppose the bill.

Governor Villafuerte belongs to the NP.

Read more

Originally Posted by Naga Boy

Remember these people in favor of gerrymandering:
Meriam Defensor- Santiago,
Edgardo Angara,
Franklin Drilon,
Francis Pangilinan,
Manuel Lapid,
Tito Sotto
Jose Estrada.

Also remember these level headed people
Manny Villar,
Panfilo Lacson,
Antonio Trillanes IV,
Aquilino Pimentel III,
Alan Peter Cayetano
Ferdinand Marcos. Jr.
Joker Arroyo

It is indeed very ironic that our beloved Joker is preaching the senate on gerrymandering which few years back he conveniently disregarded and spurned in pushing for the creation of a new district in the province to favor the son of the sitting president. Now he finds himself on the other side of the fence and suddenly remembered that there is such a thing as gerrymandering.

Crucify these feuding family in the next local elections. They are feuding because of putting their personal interest ahead that of the people.

[jardet]

Originally Posted by jardet

It is indeed very ironic that our beloved Joker is preaching the senate on gerrymandering which few years back he conveniently disregarded and spurned in pushing for the creation of a new district in the province to favor the son of the sitting president. Now he finds himself on the other side of the fence and suddenly remembered that there is such a thing as gerrymandering.

Crucify these feuding family in the next local elections. They are feuding because of putting their personal interest ahead that of the people.

By the way, Joker had been my favorite senator. He has been a friend to Sec Jess and Naga has been a huge beneficiary of his pork barrel in the past.

[Nabartek]

This legislation is sad. The next thing you know, may Quezon del sur, Albay del Norte, Cagayan Oriental, Isabela Occidental

[Parchie]

Originally Posted by Nabartek

This legislation is sad. The next thing you know, may Quezon del sur, Albay del Norte, Cagayan Oriental, Isabela Occidental

"Divide and conquer" algorithms are favorite ideas globally! The famous Sun Tzu mentioned it once. And our politicians are doing it! What else is new?

[3cr]

Mikey quits politics
Journal Online
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/...17-mikey-quits

ANG Galing Pinoy (AG) party-list Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo, the eldest son of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is retiring from politics at least for now.

In a television interview, Arroyo said he is no longer interested in politics and wants to live a private life starting 2013.

Arroyo’s party-list of security guards and tricycle drivers is reportedly facing disqualification by the Commission on Elections.

“I have no more political plans for the coming elections and very much looking forward to private life with my family,” Arroyo said.

The younger Arroyo is on his 3rd congressional term. He was twice (2004 and 2007) elected as Representative of the 2nd District of Pampanga, a position currently held by his mother. In 2010 he got a congressional seat as representative of the AG party-list.

The Comelec has said the AG might be disqualified after its nominees failed to show up in the hearings on the revalidation of existing party-list accreditations and to submit requirements and evidence showing the group is representing a marginalized sector.

Arroyo refused to comment further on the issue and instead referred the matter to Atty. Charlie Chua, the president of AG.

The Comelec will make a final ruling on disqualified party-list groups before the end of September.

If it gets the required vote percentage, the militant transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON) can directly bring their decades-long grievance from the streets to the Congress.

This after the Commission on Elections approved PISTON’s petition for partylist registration filed last February 29, 2012.

According to George San Mateo, PISTON national president, they already had in their possession the Comelec Central Office resolution which was approved by the 2nd Division on August 22, 2012.

In a text message, San Mateo said that the resolution will pave the way for PISTON’s direct representation in the legislature.

“Ikinagagalak po ito ng maraming tsuper at mamamayan, dahil ang Kongreso ay isang mahalagang larangan din para isulong ang aming kahilingan,” he said.

Once elected, PISTON will push as one of its priorities an investigation into the oil companies’ overpricing of fuel products.

The group will also be batting for the suspension of the oil deregulation law and the value added tax on petroleum products.

Being PISTON’s first nominee, San Mateo said that he will also push for other legislative proposals that will uplift the transport sector.

Southern Mindanao chapter secretary general Edilberto Gonzaga has been named as 2nd nominee while Edgar Salarda, president of PISTON-Panay, Rolando Mingo of Southern Tagalog, Eduardo Ferreras of Bicol and Modesto Floranda of National Capital Region are the group’s 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th nominees respectively.

PISTON leads protests especially every time an oil price hike is implemented.

Yesterday, it staged a noise barrage at Philcoa in Quezon City to protest the latest increase in fuel prices.


Palace obliged to help US in Mikey probe
Daily Tribune
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/...in-mikey-probe

Citing the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with the United States, Malacañang is keen on providing the US federal government help in what appears to be another attempt to pin down the Arroyos who are now being investigated for allegedly owning properties in America.

In a text message to members of the Malacañang Press Corps, deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte yesterday said the Aquino administration feels that it is duty-bound to extend whatever is required by the US Department of Justice in its investigation into Ang Galing Party-list Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo and his wife Ma. Angela over their alleged properties in America.

Mikey is the eldest son of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Valte said that under the MLAT, the Philippines could ask the help of its American counterpart should it require legal assistance, in the same manner that US would expect cooperation of the Philippine government on cases of its interest.

Asked how President Aquino dealt with the request for assistance by the US government on a Filipino citizen, particularly Mikey, Valte practically claimed that an instruction has already been given to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to help its counterpart, the US Department of Justice, which is currently looking into his assets.

She, however, would not elaborate, citing confidentiality. “The details are confidential. However, let me emphasize one thing: The Philippine government is bound to render assistance under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty,” the Palace official averred.

Earlier, De Lima revealed an ongoing investigation on the young Arroyo by the US Justice department, which she claimed has sent a letter formally informing and in effect coordinating investigation efforts to the Philippine government. She, however, said inquiries on the case should actually be directed not to the DoJ but to the respective embassies of the US and the Philippines.

In 2009, it was reported that the young Arroyo failed, for the last two years, to declare a P63-million property in California, which he bought and transferred to his wife in 2006.

The party-list representative has claimed that the money he used to buy the property came from cash gifts he got from their wedding, as well as from campaign contributions.

[3cr]

Sen. Sotto proposing blogging bill, Sen. Enrile backs Sotto
Quoted News
http://www.quotednews.com/2012/08/29...g-bill-videos/

Senator Tito Sotto proposed a blogging bill to be passed in the Senate to define and regulate blogging in the Philippines.

On August 29, 2012, Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III, delivered a privilege speech and defend himself for the past issues regarding the plagiarism accusations towards the Senator.

According to Senator Sotto, maybe he was the first Senator from the Philippines that became a victim of cyber-bullying. The RH Bill issue became a hot topics for the Filipino bloggers for the past few days and the Senator have been in constant attacked by bloggers.

During the privilege speech of the Senators, bloggers were expecting a simple apology but it doesn’t happened instead he retaliated against those who attacked him.

Senator Sotto stated that the RH Bill critic used the issue of plagiarism as a demolition job against him. He was even quoted as saying that “the crime of plagiarism is not defined in our laws.”

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on defense for Senator Sotto also made a statement regarding blogging.


Sotto blasts critics, backs blogging bill
Rappler.com
http://www.rappler.com/nation/11405-...-blogging-bill

MANILA, Philippines – From the RH bill to a blogging bill?

There was no apology from Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III for plagiarizing the works of a blogger.

Instead, Sotto and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile proposed crafting a bill that will define and regulate blogging in the Philippines.

On Wednesday, August 29, Sotto delivered a privilege speech to defend himself from backlash after he failed to attribute passages in speeches against the Reproductive Health (RH) bill to American blogger Sarah Pope and other articles online. Watch excerpts here:

“Ako na yata ang kauna-unahang senador ng Pilipinas na naging biktima ng cyber-bullying,” lamented Sotto. (I am probably the first Philippine senator to be a victim of cyber-bullying.)

Sotto added, “Ang iba pa’y may sinusulat na gusto daw ako kasuhan. Nais kong ipaalam sa kanila: walang krimen na plagiarism sa Pilipinas.” (Others write that they want to sue me. I want to inform them: there is no such crime as plagiarism in the Philippines.)

The RH bill critic said the issue of plagiarism is being used as part of a hatchet or demolition job against him. Sotto said his detractors resort to killing the messenger, instead of his message against the RH bill. (Read the full text of Sotto's privilege speech through this link.)

Enrile stood to explain his past defense of Sotto, saying he only wanted to stress that what matters is whether Sotto’s arguments against the RH bill are true or not. The Senate President said he does not condone plagiarism.

Admitting that he is not Internet literate, Enrile said the lesson from the experience is for the Senate to pass a bill setting the parameters on blogging.

“’Di ako nagi-Internet kaya nung lumabas ‘yung suplong o question tungkol sa Majority Floor Leader, tinanong ko, ‘Ano ba iyong blog’ dahil wala akong blog. ‘Di ko alam ang blog. Akala ko parang slogan ang blog. Iyon pala parang libro yata daw iyon sa Internet na nilalagay mo doon ang iyong mga panaginip, mga opinyon, mga ideya, mga kaalaman,” Enrile said. (I am not Internet-savvy so when the question came up about the Majority Floor Leader, I asked, ‘What is a blog’ because I don’t have a blog. I don’t know that. I thought it was like a slogan. It turns out it’s like a book on the Internet where you put your dreams, opinions, ideas and knowledge.)

The Senate President said, “Magpanukala tayo ng batas at ilagay natin doon kung ano ang mga karapatan ng mga may blogs para sa ganoon ay maliwanag.” (Let us make a law and let us put there the rights of those with blogs so it’s clear.)

Sotto concurred and referred the issue to the proper Senate committees.

‘Does the public know my critics?’

In his privilege speech, Sotto came out swinging against those who criticized him on Twitter, Facebook and newspapers. The comedian-turned-senator said his defense is the public’s knowledge of his life.

“Ang buhay ko open book …. Ang tanong, alam ba natin sino [ang mga kritiko ko]? Matino ba sila? Mabait ba sila? Lasenggo ba sila? Nananakit ba sila ng asawa? ‘Di natin alam sino sila pero ang gagaling manira,” Sotto said. (My life is an open book. The question is: do we know who my critics are? Are they proper? Are they good people? Are they drunkards? Do they hurt their spouses? We don’t know them but they are so good in criticizing.)

Sotto maintained that Philippine laws, particularly the Revised Penal Code and Intellectual Property Code, do not criminalize plagiarism. The closest violation, he said, is copyright infringement which he said was not applicable in his case.

The Senate Majority Leader said he even sought the opinion of the Intellectual Property Office, which told him that “the crime of plagiarism is not defined in our laws.”

No mention of Pope, other sources

In his speech, Sotto did not mention Pope and did not address the allegation that he copied not just from the American blogger but from various articles and sources online.

To silence his critics, Sotto just moved to strike from the Senate record the paragraph copied from Pope. Sotto stressed that his intentions are noble: to fight for the sanctity of life.

In a Thought Leaders Piece for Rappler, novelist and freelance writer Miguel Syjuco said Sotto’s plagiarism was a disservice to both supporters and opponents of the RH bill.

“For Filipinos of either stripe, Sotto has thumbed his nose at intellectual property rights, political accountability, and even good manners. He’s insulted our intelligence. He’s insulted us—we, the Filipino people,” wrote Syjuco.

Sotto said he will continue with the final chapter of his “turno en contra” speech against the RH bill on Tuesday, September 4.

[Juan Pilgrim]

Dick Gordon for Senator!!!

[bartstrife99]

na aalala ko si Gordon nung presidential campaign tumapat siya sa akin,nagbigay ng candy at shirt sabay sabi boto moko ah. Kakawayan ko sana kaso napa Laban sign ako bigla di ko napansin.sabay tawa hehehe. Di ko gusto ugali ng asawa niya sayang magaling pa naman siya.

[3cr]

Sotto’s plagiarism begets a blogging bill
Get Real Philippines
http://getrealphilippines.com/blog/2...blogging-bill/

Picture yourself as an average kid catching your younger sibling being a douche. You see him doing the typical mischief kids do in their worse days; throwing massive tantrums, stealing toys from other children, hitting people for no apparent reason, stuff like that. Being the good kid that you are, you beckon to your brother and give him a brief lecture on how wrong he was and why he should apologize for his mess-ups. But your brother happened to be spoiled.

He wails and cries and bawls, saying that it’s not his fault and you’re the one who’s being the douche instead. Your argument with your sibling reaches the ears of your dad. He rushes towards the scene and hushes your bratty brother.

“What happened?” your father asks, clearly alarmed.

“I saw him being rude to other people, so I scolded him,” you say, somewhat feeling proud of what you’ve done, but annoyed at your brother at the same time.

“Okay, I understand,” your father replies affectionately while caressing your brother’s head. “Now, to avoid fights like this in the future, let me enumerate the things you’re allowed to do so you won’t hurt your little brother again.”

“I—what!?” you blurt out in utter disbelief.

“Yeah, you’re right, dad,” your brother says, while giving you a mocking grin. “Tell him what he should do so he won’t hurt me again.”

Unless you’ve been indoctrinated with a radically different moral code, you’ll agree with me in saying that this just screams injustice all over. Your brother was being a prick, you stop him from being a prick, and then your dad imposes rules on you instead? It just doesn’t sit well with even our simplest perceptions of justice.

Unfortunately for our collective sense of justice, our own Senate President doesn’t seem to agree with it. In response to the tirade against Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III regarding his plagiarized speech against the Reproductive Health bill, Juan Ponce Enrile suggested that they enforce a law that will define what the Internet bloggers, who comprise the majority of Sotto’s critics, get to say.

According to Rappler:

From the RH bill to a blogging bill?

There was no apology from Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III for plagiarizing the works of a blogger.

Instead, Sotto and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile proposed crafting a bill that will define and regulate blogging in the Philippines.

Yes, straight from the short story above. Like your ridiculously unjust dad and bratty brother, Enrile and Sotto attempt to craft a bill that basically puts the blame on you instead for what Sotto had done. While Sotto shoots back at critics with a vast array of red herrings…

In his privilege speech, Sotto came out swinging against those who criticized him on Twitter, Facebook and newspapers. The comedian-turned-senator said his defense is the public’s knowledge of his life.

“Ang buhay ko open book …. Ang tanong, alam ba natin sino [ang mga kritiko ko]? Matino ba sila? Mabait ba sila? Lasenggo ba sila? Nananakit ba sila ng asawa? ‘Di natin alam sino sila pero ang gagaling manira,” Sotto said. (My life is an open book. The question is: do we know who my critics are? Are they proper? Are they good people? Are they drunkards? Do they hurt their spouses? We don’t know them but they are so good in criticizing.)

Sotto also bristled at critics’ jab at his involvement as a host of the noontime show Eat Bulaga.

“Ang Eat Bulaga, daan-daan ang tinutulungan noon araw-araw. Libu-libo ang tumatangkilik. Itong mga tumutuligsa at namimintas sa atin, ilan na kaya ang natulungan na nila, kung meron man?” (Eat Bulaga helps hundreds of people everyday. Thousands watch it. Those criticizing me, how many have they helped, if any?)

Enrile stepped into the fray, inquired on what a blog is in the first place, came up with a brilliant idea and suggested to have blogs regulated.

The Senate President said, “Magpanukala tayo ng batas at ilagay natin doon kung ano ang mga karapatan ng mga may blogs para sa ganoon ay maliwanag.” (Let us make a law and let us put there the rights of those with blogs so it’s clear.)

In the midst of these amusingly irritating events, I must express my confusion; why do things have to turn out this way? Why is there a need for Sotto to put up a flimsy defense against his mishap, dragging Enrile into the mess in the process, endangering both of their reputations in the eyes of the public, when he could’ve just solved all of this in one simple action: saying sorry?

“I apologize for my failure to give credit where credit is due. I shall see to it that this will not happen again, and that I shall be more vigilant with the words I impart to the Filipino people.”

It gives you an air of humility, it gives you grace, and it solves pretty much everything in one fell swoop. I mean, after all, what the critics basically want is for Sotto to acknowledge that he plagiarized someone else’s work. Being a plagiarizer is a professional disgrace, which is utterly unbecoming of a public official like Sotto. The least he could do was to simply bow his head down and admit his mistakes. All will be eventually forgotten, and he can go back to being a bona fide champion of the so-called pro-life advocates.

But Sotto just had to attract more negative attention to himself by not admitting his wrongs in broad daylight. But the worst joke of all was for Enrile to side with Sotto while opening the threat to freedom of speech to bloggers everywhere. Agents of justice being unjust… how ironic.

Perhaps it could be machismo. Seriously, how could a man like Sotto yield to an unknown, not to mention female blogger? How could a senator bow down to a mere private citizen fighting for what is right in the face of professional and intellectual aggravation? Where’s the pride in that?

Or Sotto might be thinking that in being hard-headed, he might get the people’s favor for his unswerving principles. Although, observing the things that have happened, I’ve yet to see where the principles are hiding.

Or Sotto just doesn’t know how to act smart in public.

Well? What’s the next attraction in our political circus, Senator Sotto?

[Nabartek]

Hmmm... why only limit a bill to blogs? I think plagiarism is plagiarism no matter what. I think we should have penalties against plagiarism in the professional circle...at the same time, encourage the schools to be strict with plagiarism.

[itrade]

Originally Posted by jardet

It is indeed very ironic that our beloved Joker is preaching the senate on gerrymandering which few years back he conveniently disregarded and spurned in pushing for the creation of a new district in the province to favor the son of the sitting president. Now he finds himself on the other side of the fence and suddenly remembered that there is such a thing as gerrymandering.

Crucify these feuding family in the next local elections. They are feuding because of putting their personal interest ahead that of the people.

I am not up to date with CamSur politics but Joker's support for an additional district was not bad for CamSur. That the district was a gift to the Arroyos was bad. But CamSur having an additional weight in Congress is good.

[amigo32]

Originally Posted by Nabartek

Hmmm... why only limit a bill to blogs? I think plagiarism is plagiarism no matter what. I think we should have penalties against plagiarism in the professional circle...at the same time, encourage the schools to be strict with plagiarism.

paano yan, sa panliligaw hindi na rin puede manggaya ng istayl

[jardet]

Originally Posted by hakz2007

Joker Arroyo: Probe CamSur ‘gerrymandering’
Bicolano senator says bill dividing province benefits only political clans
Read more

What?! Impair the senate rules? Senator Joker must again be joking. It's happening in the Senate everyday. The brouhaha in the senate about this bill is that Nationalista party is taking side in support of their embattled member who is the encumbent governor of the province. Not because of principles but of politics. The senators should listen to their Senate President. Enrile is correct. The Senate approval on this issue is only ministerial. I wonder when was the last time the Senate took special interest and spent time and resources deliberating on a bill of local application.

So, do not be surprised if the Senate eventually pass this measure. What is good in what's happening in the Senate is it is delaying the process and subverting political timelines of the Fuentebellas.

[Nabartek]

Kaya nga Joker ang pangalan

Sayang si Joker. Okay naman sya noon, may sense..ngayon parang naligaw nang landas

[whatuwan]

Originally Posted by 3cr

Sen. Sotto proposing blogging bill, Sen. Enrile backs Sotto

One hypocritical action after another. I hope he doesn't get re-elected.

[3cr]

Sotto is on a roll. Hehehe...

Sotto revision in anti-discrimination bill gets muddled, sparks backlash
InterAksyon
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/4...parks-backlash

MANILA, Philippines – Lost in translation, again: a congressman supposedly gave gay groups wrong information that Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III opposed the inclusion of persons with “different sexual orientation and gender identity” from groups entitled to state protection in a sweeping anti-discrimination law, sparking another backlash.

But the office of Sotto, who in recent days has drawn flak over issues of reproductive health, plagiarism, and blogger rights, clarified to InterAksyon.com that he in fact supports the bill prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender, race or creed. What Sotto did, said his media officer, was propose an insertion affirming that the Family Code of the Philippines stays as is and is not being repealed or amended with respect to same-sex marriage.

The Senate Journal validated the claim of Sotto’s office that he did not seek the exclusion from state protection of SOGIs, but simply wanted a clear affirmation of the Family Code provision.

After earning the ire of bloggers and netizens for his allegedly plagiarized speech against the Reproductive Health Bill, Sotto on Thursday morning faced another backlash from lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Filipinos.

In a statement, the Progressive Organization of Gays (ProGay Philippines) protested against Sotto’s reported move to remove state protection for SOGI’s from the proposed Anti-Racial, Ethnic and Anti-Religious Discrimination Act.

The alleged “Sotto position” was reported by Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Brawner Baguilat Jr., a member of the House of Representatives panel that crafted a version to be reconciled with the Senate version in a bicameral conference.

“We are saddened that Senator Sotto, whose successful showbiz and political careers are in part supported by hardworking LGBTs, now [considers them] second-class citizens who for him do not deserve equality before the law," said Goya Candelario, spokesperson of ProGay.

ProGay urged Congress to include SOGI as a protected status because this was one of the recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Council during the Philippines’ Universal Periodic Review in May 2012.

The UN upheld the SOGI rights against discrimination but did not champion same-sex marriage, a matter that is left to individual lawmaking bodies and states of different countries.

“We appeal to Senator Sotto to give back to the LGBT community which had suffered long enough from a spate of hate crimes, workplace discrimination, and ridicule from homophobic elements of society," the group added.

Reached for comment, Sotto’s office said the lawmaker definitely did not oppose the bill, but instead wanted to include a phrase in Section 7 of Senate Bill 2814, which would make it clear that the new bill, while outlawing discrimination against LGBTs, is not replacing the Family Code of the Philippines by way of allowing same-sex marriage.

“Mali ang interpretasyon ng Pro-Gay sa gustong ilagay ni Senator Sotto sa bill. [Hindi niya tinutulan ang bill] kundi naglagay lamang siya ng isang phrase sa Section 7 upang matiyak na hindi maibabasura ang Family Code of the Philippines (Pro-Gay wrongly interpreted what Senator Sotto wanted included in the bill. He did not oppose the bill but put in a phrase in Section 7 to ensure that the Family Code of the Philippines is not disregarded),” Mike Caber, Sotto’s media relations officer, explained.

The Senate Journal dated November 24, 2011, said the body approved, subject to style, the insertion of the phrase “except the statutory provision of the Family Code of the Philippines, as amended, which shall remain in force.”

The Journal said: “Senator Sotto pointed out that Section 7 of the bill grants all persons the right of equality and non-discrimination regardless of their sexual orientation, gender and gender identity.

“To allay fears of some sectors that the measure could be misinterpreted to mean that same sex marriages would be allowed, he [Sotto] underscored the need for the clause that he introduced to clarify that the Family Code of the Philippines was not being repealed,” the Senate journal said.

The bill is an Act "prohibiting discrimination, profiling, violence and all forms of intolerance against persons based on ethnicity, race, religion or belief, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, languages disability, or other status."

[3cr]

Anti-discrimination bill faces rough sailing in Senate
Bulatlat.com
http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/08/30/...ing-in-senate/

MANILA — Already under fire for alleged plagiarism for his speech attacking the Reproductive Health (RH) bill, senator and actor Tito Sotto is now the target of criticism from the country’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. According to reports, Sotto is demanding the removal of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) provisions from a bill protecting minorities.

The Progressive Organization of Gays (ProGay Philippines) protested reports that Sotto is working to remove protections for LGBTs from the proposed Anti-Racial, Ethnic and Anti-Religious Discrimination Act of 2011. The alleged position was reported by Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Brawner Baguilat Jr., a member of the House of Representatives that crafted a version that will be reconciled with the Senate version in a bicameral conference. Baguilat did not name other senators who were supposedly opposed to sexual orientation and gender identity provisions.

“We are saddened that Sen. Sotto, whose successful showbiz and political careers are in part supported by hardworking LGBTs are now second class citizens who for him do not deserve equality before the law,” said Goya Candelario, ProGay spokesman.

In a recent report in the Manila Bulletin, Baguilat was quoted as saying that Congress is finding it difficult to decide whether or not the LGBT provisions will be included in the bill. The lawmaker said that he had received word that the bill was facing rough sailing in the Senate bicameral committee because some senators wanted the provisions supporting LGBT rights removed.

Baguilat, the chairman of the House Committee on National Cultural Communities, said the senators may agree not to include such provisions just to ensure the passage of the bill into law. He named Sotto as one of the senators against the inclusion of LGBT provisions. Baguilat’s own proposal seeks to penalize the profiling and acts of discrimination hurled against persons on account of ethnic origin and religious affiliation and belief, but some provisions on LGBT rights have been included. It was approved by the Lower House on August 3, 2011. The bill was immediately transmitted to the Senate which got the House-approved measure the following August 10. Other authors include Tarlac Rep. Susan Yap and Sulu Rep. Tupay Loong.

For its part, ProGay said the Senate should include sexual orientation and gender identity provisions in the bill because it is one of the recommendations made by the United Nations Human Rights Council when the Philippines underwent its Universal Periodic Review in May 2012.

The LGBT rights group said the failure of Congress to comply with this recommendation will put a bigger black eye on the human rights record of the Philippines, which is already in disrepute for the country’s failure to solve extrajudicial killings and political disappearances.

“We appeal to Sen. Sotto to give back to the LGBT community, which had suffered long enough from a spate of hate crimes, workplace discrimination and ridicule from homophobic elements of society,” ProGay said.

Repeal anti-gay vagrancy law

The LGBT rights group is also pressing Congress to repeal an anti-vagrancy law, which, it said has “made life unbearable for LGBT Filipinos.” It announced its support for House Bill 4936 that passed in third reading in the House of Representatives last April and that would repeal anti-LGBT, anti-women and anti-poor sections that enables the police to arrest persons arbitrarily and detain them for indefinite periods.

The Act Decriminalizing Vagrancy is co-sponsored by Palawan Rep. Victorino Dennis Socrates and Bulacan Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica.

Candelario said that since the 1960s, Article 202 of the Revised Penal Code has made LGBTs vulnerable to illegal arrests.

“Cops swoop down on gays and transgenders who are walking in the streets at night or daytime, brand us as prostitutes, jail us, extort money from us, and even subject some of us to sexual abuse,” he said.

The ProGay spokesman said many closeted homosexuals are at risk of being shamed or disowned by their families, and the arresting officers threaten gays with exposure to the media, forcing the arrested victims to surrender cash, cellphones, or other favors in exchange for getting out of detention.

Oscar Atadero, ProGay’s human rights officer, however said the repeal of the anti-vagrancy law only partly addresses gross violations of LGBT human rights, because Congress has yet to pass the Anti-discrimination Law or House Bill 1483, filed by Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño.

ProGay submitted a report to the UNHRC in Geneva in November 2011, asking the UN to compel the Philippines to decriminalize vagrancy and pass legislation to protect human rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The UNHRC has increased its focus on LGBT rights.

Atadero pointed out that the Aquino administration must speed up its compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) sections that protect the rights of homosexual and transgender Filipinos

[GodIsNotGreat]

Sotto, the comic senator vehemently opposed to the RH Bill, now showing his colors with respect to the LGBT community. This is what religion does to some people's minds.

I wonder if there is a law in the country against plagiarism. Even if there is none, this comic should at least be reprimanded or sanctioned. It's almost like nothing happened. Strange.

[3cr]

Sotto: RH bill will pass Senate, but…
Philippine Daily Inquirer
August 31st, 2012
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/261072/...ass-senate-but

The reproductive health (RH) bill will clear the Senate but not without amendments to provisions on government funding, especially involving the use of contraceptives, abortion and the concept of population control.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto gave that assurance to RH proponents Thursday despite his opposition to the controversial measure.

But Sotto would not go into the specifics of the amendments that he and other senators planned to introduce after his third speech questioning the necessity of the bill next week.

He insisted that amendments to the bill passed on third and last reading by the Senate should be preserved in the reconciled version that senators and congressmen will work out in conference.

Senate-House conferences thresh out differences in the versions of bills passed separately by the two houses of Congress.

The reconciled version of a bill is then presented to the senators and the congressmen for ratification.

Sotto said there were worries that senators on the Senate conference panel—most likely those who sponsored the bill—might reintroduce the deleted or altered provisions during the conference.

“It is possible to bring back the deleted portions during the bicameral meeting,” he said. “In case this happens, the measure brought back to us for ratification would face rough sailing in the session.”

Sotto said all senators who would introduce amendments to the bill would not agree to the deletion or setting aside of their proposals by the conference committee.

He said there had been cases when the reconciled version from the conference was rejected and sent back to the floor for re-examination and approval on second reading.