The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) wants amendments on bills on civil partnerships of couples belonging to the LGBTQ+ community.
The CHR remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting equality and fostering a more just and inclusive society, the agency said in a statement.
Pursuant to its mandate, the CHR issued a position paper on House Bill Nos. 1015 and 6782 seeking to recognize the civil partnership of couples, and provide for their rights and obligations.
HB 1015 or the Civil Partnership Act was deemed a “landmark effort to provide civil rights, benefits and responsibilities to couples previously unable to marry, giving them due recognition and protection from the state.”
Under the measure, the civil partners would be given all the benefits and protections granted to married couples under existing laws, rulings and orders.
HB 6782 or the Civil Partnership Bill seeks to create a legal framework for non-traditional relationships between two consenting adults who are of the same or opposite sex. Providing for their rights and legal obligations to each other.
According to the CHR, the proposed laws aimed to grant both same-sex and opposite-sex couples legal recognition as civil partners, affording them the same rights, protections, and privileges currently extended to married couples under existing laws and policies, including property rights, adoption and child custody rights, inheritance rights, and access to social protection programs as dependents and legal beneficiaries.
To further strengthen these provisions, the Commission has highlighted some reservations and key areas that warrant further refinement, including the following: (i) limiting civil partnerships to same-sex couples to avoid redundancy, as opposite-sex couples are already covered under the Family Code; (ii) provisions granting civil partners equal visitation rights in hospitals and detention facilities, along with decision-making authority for medical and burial matters; (iii) maintaining co-ownership rules for properties acquired during the partnership; (iv) clearer definition of infidelity to prevent arbitrary enforcement,mand (v) granting equal adoption rights to civil partners, emphasizing that decisions should prioritize the best interests of the child, regardless of the sexual orientation of the parents, among others.
“These recommendations aim to ensure that the proposed measures uphold the principles of inclusivity, non-discrimination, and human dignity. In this regard, the Commission urges lawmakers to carefully consider these recommendations to ensure that these proposed bills, if enacted into law, will be just, inclusive, and reflective of the country’s commitment to protecting the rights of all,” the CHR said.
It also stressed that the right to equality and freedom from discrimination as enshrined in domestic and international human rights frameworks must be fully realized by ensuring that all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, enjoy equal protection under the law.
“By recognizing civil partnerships, the Commission believes that the Philippines takes a significant step toward building a society that values diversity, inclusivity and respect for human rights,” it said.