Senator Robin Padilla Files Same-Sex civil union Bill (No. 499)
(Source: Robin Padilla Official Facebook)
Senator Robin Padilla has filed Bill No .499, also known as the "act institutionalizing civil unions of same-sex couples, establishing their rights and obligations [...]".
Why is this important?
The bill aims to apply the similar legislative measures, equal rights, protection, and privileges of traditional marriage to same-sex unions.
What are its benefits?
Allowing same-sex couples to be recognized by providing civil union certificates and civil union licenses.
Who is Robin Padilla?
Having received 26.6 million votes during the 2022 elections, Padilla became a recent addition to the Philippine Senate.
He is a former Filipino film and TV actor.
In 1994, Padilla served two years in jail (out of a maximum of eight years) for possession of illegal firearms.
During his arrest at New Bilibid Prison, Padilla also converted to Islam.
President Rodrigo Duterte gave Padilla an absolute pardon in 2016, returning his civil rights and allowing Padilla to run for a senatorial position.
Throughout his candidacy, Padilla has been outspoken about Muslim representation in the senate and government. His recent registration of Bill No .499 has received backlash and polarity from this community. Alim Abdulmajeed Djamla, the Grand Imam of Marawi Grand Mosque, has withdrawn his support for the senator due to the registration of this bill.
Sources:
https://legacy.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/3821034648!.pdf
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/robin-padilla-defends-civil-union-same-sex-couples-bill-read-bill-first-054955296.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20220521135835/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/05/18/2179918/robin-padilla-tops-senate-race-comelec-proclaims-12-senators-elect
https://mb.com.ph/2022/05/11/robin-padilla-can-very-well-represent-filipino-muslims-in-the-senate-gatchalian-says/
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/844959/robin-padilla-i-already-paid-for-my-sins-in-jail#ixzz7dlHytO6v