‘Philippines not yet ready for same-sex marriage’

MANILA, Philippines - The first transgender member of the House of Representatives said yesterday she will not yet push for the legalization of same-sex marriage in the country.

Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman said she has no intention of filing a bill to legalize same-sex marriage as she was sure it will not pass Congress.

“I’m just trying to be realistic here. If you want to pass same-sex marriage, you have to more or less test the waters in Congress,” Roman told reporters after attending a course on lawmaking at the Batasang Pambansa complex.

“Congress is a numbers game... and I don’t think it’s going to be passed,” she said.

She said she will just try to push for civil union of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

“If you try to pass something that will not hurt the sensibilities, such as civil union, you might have a chance,” Roman said.

The Philippines is a predominantly Christian country with conservative values. It is the only country in the world, apart from the Vatican, that has no divorce.