In an interview with Punto during the blessing of the P14-million building of the CHR regional office here, Gascon said the CHR would push for the rights of all, regardless of sex, including the civil unions between members of the same sex.
He said such union is within the social-political rights of Filipinos.
“But our laws still define marriage as between a man and a woman,” he noted, while admitting that the CHR would bat for same-sex civil unions should there be a proposal to amend the law.
Last February, then presidential candidate Duterte declared he would consider legalizing same-sex marriage if the proposal is presented to him.
“If it reaches me in whatever capacity, I’ll consider it,” Duterte was quoted to have said, even as he also invited members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community to join the military.
This, even as Gascon vowed to link up with more private groups in opposing the proposal of Duterte to reimpose the death penalty by hanging.
“We find ourselves opposed to it and we will unite with others for a common front. We have a strong working relationship with the civil society,” he said in a press conference during the blessing of the CHR building.
Gascon said the CHR finds common cause with the Catholic Church against the imposition of the death penalty.
Gascon also urged the Duterte camp to be cautious about the presumptive president- elect’s proposal to arm selected barangay officials in the fight against illegal drugs.
“While we are for providing security to the people, we are concerned that if an armed program is outside established protocol or existing rules of engagement, there would be some abuse,” he said, urging that those who would be armed should undergo “proper orientation and training.”
