OPENING STATEMENT OF AKBAYAN SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS DURING THE SOGIE Equality Bill Hearing
September 4, 2019

Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat. Let's talk. Marami nang mga haka-haka at mainit na diskusyon sa social media. Mabuti nang personal natin napag-uusapan, at napapakinggan ang bawat isa. The first thing I want to say is that we are here to work together. We are here to hear all sides, to better the SOGIE Equality Bill, and to take into consideration religious & faith-based sensitivities. Nandito tayo ngayon para makinig sa isa't-isa, unawain ang isa't-isa, at maging bukas sa isa't isa.

As Chairperson, I'd like to preserve this Committee as a safe space for everyone. Para sa mga religious groups at mga bagong resource persons, you are welcome here. To our advocates who've been fighting discrimination for two decades now, listen and engage.

To all our resource persons and to our guests in this room, let's remind ourselves of our unities, that we are all against any form of discrimination, that we want what is best for each other, and that we want to preserve our values and the Filipino family.

Let us conduct ourselves with respect, empathy and openness to one another. Bukas isip, bukas puso.

Ang mga sinasabi natin online at sa hearing na ito, nababasa at napapakinggan ng mga anak natin, ng mga batang LGBT, ng mga indibidwal na takot maging out. Are we speaking with the message we want to tell them?

Let's talk... knowing our children are listening.

May I ask this from all of you? Sa ganitong yugto ay dinggin na natin ang posisyon ng bawat isa.