Recto Laments Comelecs Disqualification of Ang Ladlad

Senator Ralph Recto yesterday expressed dismay over the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to disqualify Ang Ladlad partylist, which represents an organization of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals (LGBT).

Recto said Sana di nalaglag Ang Ladlad. Comelec may have its reasons in denying the accreditation of this partylist, but what cant be denied is that it clearly passes the marginalization criterion, which is the litmus test in party-list accreditation.

The Batangas senator stressed that the issue of providing representation to marginalized sectors covers those who have less in life, those who are discriminated against and those who have special needs. The place of Ang Ladlad is in Congress and not in the closet, asserted Recto, who has been battling for the inclusion of all social forces in political dialogue.

He noted that the very wide political spectrum can be enriched by the presence of people who have chosen their specific sexual orientation.

Being free to choose, Recto asserted that voters have as much right as the Comelec officials and employees to choose which partylist they want.

Instead of compelling the LGBTs to retreat to the closet, the senator said they should be given their rightful place in the marketplace of ideas and legislation, which is what the two houses of Congress really are.

It is Congress diversity that enriches legislation, and Ang Ladlad would have been able to contribute to it, Recto explained.

Ang Ladlad has thousands of members nationwide and what differentiates it from other groups is that in spite of their differences, the four categories that comprise the partylist united in pursuit of their common objective, which is to hear what those whom chose their sexual orientation have to say.

The representation of LGBTs in Congress would have given substance to the democratic space that government wants to nurture, Recto lamented.

Ang Ladlads nominee, Prof. Danton Remoto, has already filed his candidacy as an independent senatorial candidate after the Comelec initial disqualified his group.

The final resolution dismissing Ang Ladlads participation in the May 2007 elections would most likely raise howls of protests nationwide since lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals have their information network.

Without a voice in Congress, experts feel that a significant portion of the population is being denied their role in crafting legislation and assisting in the process of social and political development, Recto argued.