Duterte eyes creation of LGBTQ body: Go

Go noted that the President committed to support the SOGIE bill and push both houses of Congress for its passage. (Pexels Photo)

MANILA – Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday bared the plan of President Rodrigo Duterte to create a commission for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) pending the approval of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality bill.

In an interview, Go said the possibility of creating an LGBTQ commission through an executive order was among the topics discussed in the President’s meeting with key LGBTQ advocates led by Bubsie Sabarez on Monday.

Go noted that the President committed to support the SOGIE bill and push both houses of Congress for its passage.

“Sa ngayon po, full support si Pangulo sa SOGIE bill.Magpapadala rin daw siya ng position paper niya (At the moment, the President fully supports the SOGIE bill. He said he will also submit his position paper on the matter) and maybe he will sign an executive order creating an LGBT commission while waiting for the SOGIE bill to be approved by Congress,” Go said.

Go said the government, together with LGBTQ groups, plans to organize a national LGBTQ convention where advocates from different regions will be represented.

The convention will serve as a venue for the LGBTQ community to raise their concerns and come up with policy proposals to promote and protect their welfare.