EDITORIAL
HIERARCHY of
PRIORITIZATION “Mister President, naumpisahan na natin. Sana ipagpatuloy na natin ang pagpapasa sa SOGIE equality bill,” cried out Gretchen Diez, a member of the LGBTQ+ community who caught the attention of the Filipino netizens after a janitress stopped her from entering into the female’s comfort room. On the 13th of August, Diez rushed to the toilets of a mall in Cubao only to pee yet she was blocked by the janitress and detained her inside the mall. There were women who asked the janitress to do such act from the fear of harassment. She called out for help from her friends to phone the cops and was brought to the Quezon City. Instead of hearing out her stand, they arrested her. Due to the media’s impact with regards to sexuality, she was released and made her move to call out for President Rodrigo Duterte to quickly implement the proposed SOGIE bill. The Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity or Expression (SOGIE) Bill was written on February 17, 2017 and submitted by the Committee on Women and Gender Equality. It highlights on prohibiting the discrimination of the LGBTQ+ community (Refer to House Bill No. 4982). After a thorough reading on the topic, is it still necessary to give this our utmost attention? This is not to break those involved in this ongoing issue yet the Philippines has already made several anti-discriminatory laws that have considered not only a certain group but the country as a whole to be involved in such practices. As for those Filipinos in the LGBTQ+ community who fear any form of discrimination, ordinances in different cities ensure that this would be properly observed and practiced. If someone with acne is being discriminated, do we really have to make a law on the “Anti-Acne Discrimination Act” that would imprison those who would try to make such a big deal out of it? Safeguarding the rights of every Filipino, no matter who you are, have been given importance to ensure avoiding discriminating to the society such as the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the even the Magna Carta for Women. Anyone who is dealing with this heavy topic must look on the other side that needs to be looked upon directly. Just because you have a broken arm doesn’t mean that you will not be given importance as to one losing gallons of blood by the minute. The Philippines needs to focus on the main priorities that would be implemented and well-funded such as the issue of the Filipino farmers. Without them, there would be no food on our plates. We often think of small things as unimportant when they actually create a larger impact that would jeopardize the society as a whole. What is being presented to us through the media influences us, thus, we think that the government always talks nonsense but they have made programs that emphasizes the needs especially those of the poor. This generation may be the start of welcoming the LGBTQ+ but that does not mean that the spotlight is on them. This SOGIE bill, if implemented, might also be a cause for the members of this community to abuse their powers. Overuse of the benefits given would also lead to harm. Currently, we are fighting the battle against poverty and climate change. If these are solved, then we may move on to other issues that needs attention. But how will we be able to solve these if we Filipinos would not even bother to follow the simplest rules. This is discipline at its work. No matter how many times we would try to adjust to the needs of the citizens, it would be no use when all we do is rant without any action. Being able to use out your voice for the public is empowerment, such as what Diez did to defend her rights. But we need to look on the wider screen that our country needs help to improve. The simple values that were taught to us as children need to remain as adults even though we have enhanced ourselves to be logical and critical thinkers. Empowerment is useless when we only say it but not mean it. It was wrong of those people involved to look down on Diez for her sexuality, this is the problem that we need to change not through a law but start within ourselves. We are all human and we often make mistakes yet it is in one’s self that requires a better change. The little acts of kindness that we make will create a difference not only for the LGBTQ+s but also for everyone’s own good as well.
The Official Student Publication of Bukidnon State University
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