Lawmaker wants to be Phl’s first transgender reservist

MANILA, Philippines - If her application is approved, Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman could become the first transgender reservist of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Roman, who turns 50 this year, is also the House of Representatives’ first transgender member, after winning the congressional race for Bataan’s first district last year. Born male, she underwent sex reassignment surgery in New York in the 1990s and subsequently changed her first name.

Colonel Edgard Arevalo, AFP public affairs office chief, said the military is open to the idea of having its first transgender member as he reminded Roman that like everyone else, she would have to follow the rules.

The AFP, he added, does not discriminate as far as gender is concerned as it “highly values the patriotism of citizens and works to cultivate this.”

“She will be a welcome addition to the Reservists Force, our Gender And Development Program guarantees that,” Arevalo said.

He added that applicants are admonished to “maintain the dignity of the uniform; to observe discipline, propriety and decorum; and measure up to the steep standards of the service.”