Yet again, the Commission of Elections (Comelec) has dismissed a petition of Ang Ladlad, a gay organization seeking congressional representation in the May 2010 elections as a party-list group, reasoning that the group “tolerates immorality.”
In an eight-page resolution, the poll body’s Second Division said Ang Ladlad’s petition “must fail” despite the group’s fulfillment of poll requirements because the practice of homosexuality offends morals.
Homosexuality is also against Christian and Muslim faiths, the resolution said.
Citing the teachings of Lehman Strauss, an American Bible teacher, the Comelec argued that the principles of Ang Ladlad were a threat to young Filipinos.
“Should this commission grant the petition, we will be exposing our youth to an environment that does not conform to the teachings of faith,” the resolution said.
“As an agency of the government, ours too is the state’s avowed duty under Section 13, Article II of the Constitution, to protect our youth from moral and spiritual degradation,” it further said.
A similar petition by the same group to participate in the 2007 elections was also rejected on grounds that the group did not have a national presence, a requirement for party-list accreditation.
The resolution added that the decision does not condemn lesbians, gays and the transgender community.
“But, we cannot compromise the well-being of the greater number of our people, especially the youth,” it said.
Danton Remoto, Ang Ladlad leader and an Ateneo de Manila University professor, slammed the ruling for being “intellectually bankrupt.”
“The decision of the very old men showed painfully obsolete ideas about homosexuality,” Remoto said.
“This is the 21st century and there should be human rights for all.”
Remoto’s group, which is estimated to have around 22,000 members nationwide, would file a motion for reconsideration. If such an appeal is rejected, Remoto said that he would go to the Supreme Court.
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