Comelec: Gays overly represented in Congress

MANILA, Philippines - Gays and lesbians cannot be considered marginalized in society because they are already “overly represented” in Congress, a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official said yesterday.

Comelec second division chairman Nicodemus Ferrer was defending the poll body’s rejection of the application of gay-rights group Ang Ladlad for party-list representation.

“I have been telling them, you are not under-represented… actually you are over-represented in the Lower House and Upper House,” Ferrer told reporters in an interview. But Ferrer declined to name names.

But he said that by getting elected, gay officials have already proven that members of the third sex can be part of the “mainstream community” and should therefore not be considered marginalized.

Ferrer explained that by seeking representation as sectoral party in Congress, Ang Ladlad is actually pushing its members away from the mainstream.      

“By their petition, they are seeking to separate themselves from the mainstream. They are also Filipinos and they are also human so why look for a vehicle to separate themselves from the mainstream? What’s their purpose?” Ferrer asked.

In its ruling, the Comelec said allowing Ang Ladlad’s participation in the party-list elections would expose the youth to immorality.

Supporters of Ang Ladlad and even the Human Rights Commission have criticized the poll body for its “medieval” position.

The group vowed to appeal the Comelec’s decision even to the Supreme Court if necessary.

Ferrer argued the decision has sufficient legal basis citing Revised Penal Code Article 201, which also calls immoral “those who shall publicly expound or proclaim doctrines openly contrary to public morals.”

“To be moral is not old-fashioned and to be modern does not mean that you are no longer moral,” Ferrer said in reaction to critics.

Ferrer said a motion for reconsideration would help concerned parties settle the issue once and for all.