HCM’s message re SOGIE bill for LJM Churches

Brothers and sisters,

Today, we live in very crucial times. And right now, we are confronting issues that will be
particularly decisive in terms of either upholding our Christian family values or allowing
these to be destroyed. I’m sure you are aware of the incident that occurred on August 13,
2019 at Farmers’ Mall in Quezon City. That was when a transgender person was
accosted for using the ladies’ restroom at the said mall. The incident was blown out of
proportion, went viral, and was used to revitalize attention for the Sexual Orientation and
Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality bill. I believe that passing SOGIE is
not the right thing to do. Why do I say that it is not right? The bill is being misrepresented
as a means by which to secure “equal rights” for the country’s LGBTQ community.

The SOGIE bill is just a redundancy of the anti-discrimination bill. There are also other
provisions already in the Philippine Constitution and other laws that provide for the rights
of all Filipino citizens, no matter their gender. There is no need to pass more laws to that
effect. There are also onerous and alarming provisions included in the SOGIE bill that
will essentially violate academic freedom, religious freedom, parental authority, and the
right to refuse issuance of licenses. If this bill is legalized, those who exercise those
above-mentioned freedoms can be sued, fined, and thrown into jail. The LGBTQ
community is a small minority when compared with the entire Filipino population. Yet, the
SOGIE bill will give them exclusive protection and privileges, to the detriment of the rest
of our countrymen, especially the women and the youth. May I also point out that as
church leaders, you will most likely be subjected to legal action and/or imprisonment if
you decline LGBTQ requests for same-sex marriage in your church, simply because you
firmly believe God’s Word regarding marriage. This is what is happening in the U.S. now,
where pastors are dragged to court for making their stand and obeying the Word of God.
So, therefore, let us pray. First, let us appeal to God for His intervention regarding the
SOGIE bill. Let us storm the heavens and ask God to fight for His people. Let us pray for
the leading decision-makers of our country, including the Philippine president, to make
the right decision of not passing the SOGIE bill. Second, if there is anything you can do
apart from prayer, please do it. For example, if there are anti-SOGIE gatherings in your
local areas, it would be good to participate and show your opposition. And third, may you
share this message to your congregation and community, so that we can all be united in
praying and joining local initiatives?

Thank you for your prayers as we continue to trust God for His divine will and destiny for
our nation. And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since
Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth
shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, in order that he may command his
children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do
righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to
him.” Genesis 18:17-19 (NKJV)

Bsp. Herminigildo C. Malabanan

LJM Chairman /Vision Keeper