Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman believes the civil partnership bills pending at the House of Representatives could be given a chance to be discussed under the leadership of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
She told Dobol B sa News TV that Velasco was "open-minded" on the proposed measure, adding the passage of the same-sex union would depend on the incumbent leadership.
Under the term of then Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who himself was an advocate of the same-sex union, the bill moved forward, Roman said.
“Pero sa panahon ni Speaker Lord Allan Velasco na isang napakabatang Speaker who I believe is open-minded and very compassionate naman, palagay ko, I'm very optimistic na medyo pag-uusapan na iyan sa Committee on Women and Gender Equality kung saan ang inyong lingkod ay bahagi," Roman said.
Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera filed House Bill 1357, but Alvarez had his own version under HB 2264.
Roman is the first transgender lawmaker.
"Sana mabuksan din ang kanilang mga utak at mga puso na sa katotohanan na ang mga LGBT ay, number one, anak ng Diyos, may karapatan silang magkaroon ng pamilya at pangatlo, dapat makatanggap sila ng legal protection sa pamamagitan ng civil union or civil partnership," Roman said.
“Ito lang ang mensahe ko sa inyo: Live and let live. Be happy and let others be happy."