Senator Imee Marcos has affirmed her support for greater legal protection of the LGBTQI+ community, ahead of the observance of World Human Rights Day on Saturday, Dec. 10.
Marcos believes that granting property rights to same-sex couples should not be stymied by the ongoing moral and religious debate over legalizing same-sex unions in the country.
“The acquisition, ownership, and use of property is a guaranteed right of all citizens, but same-sex couples are not adequately protected by existing laws,” the senator noted.
Marcos has filed Senate Bill 1532, “Instituting a Property Regime for Same Sex Partners,” that ensures each partner a just share of properties when a partner dies or becomes disabled, or when a relationship is ended by mutual agreement or abandonment.
According to the bill, same-sex partners will be deemed co-owners of property they have acquired, even in the absence of a written agreement if they have lived together for at least a year.
Co-ownership will also cover income derived from the shared properties, but written consent of both partners will be required if the said properties are sold, leased, or disposed of in any manner.
Excluded from co-ownership are properties inherited by either partner, as well as gifts or donations given by members of a partner’s immediate family.
A partner will remain personally responsible for any loan or financial obligation, which cannot be paid out by co-owned funds or property.
Co-ownership is dissolved when a relationship is ended, unless both partners have a written contract to continue co-ownership, or upon the death or permanent disability of either of the partners.
