MANILA, Philippines — Vice President and now Presidential Candidate Leni Robredo reiterated that she favors same-sex union in a Catholic forum on Wednesday.
In an interview with Church-run Radyo Veritas, Leni stressed that she agrees with Pope Francis’ statement that same-sex civil unions are good and helpful to many people, and he supported civil laws that try to help those who have a diverse sexual orientation.
“Sang-ayon ako sa sinabi ni Pope Francis na lahat tayo anak ng Diyos. I am all for civil unions like he is. Dahil ang paniniwala natin may karapatang lumigaya kahit sino at hindi dapat sila parusahan for the choices that they make,” Robredo said.
Robredo cited that the government has the responsibility to make sure that members of the LGBTQIA+ are not being discriminated against and all opportunities are available for them.
“Hindi dapat pinagkakakitaan ang karapatan ang kahit sinong tao dahil lang kung sino ang mahal nila. I take offense na yung marami, ginagamit ang kanilang faith para i-look down yung mga tao na iba ‘yung mga desisyon. It is something very personal to me.”
vice president leni robredo
(A person should not be denied any right just because of whom they love. I take offense when many use their faith to look down on people who made different decisions. It is something very personal to me.)
Meanwhile, Robredo also reiterated that she does not favor divorce, abortion, and the death penalty, but she stressed that her faith will not restrain her from listening to “divergent voices.”
“Kahit kontra ako sa divorce, kontra sa abortion, kontra sa death penalty, obligasyon ko na siguruhin na yung divergent voices pinapakinggan. That is not to say magpapa-impluwensya ako,” Robredo said.
(Even if I’m against divorce, against abortion, against the death penalty, it’s my obligation to make sure that divergent voices are heard. That is not to say I will be influenced.)
“Ang mahirap lang sa mga batas na ito ay hindi masyadong accessible sa mga mahihirap. So dapat ang gawin lang natin, make sure yung remedies under Family Code and other special laws will be accessible even to women who are victims of domestic abuse na walang perang pambayad,” she added.
(The challenge with these laws is that they are not that accessible to the poor. We must make sure that remedies under the Family Code and other special laws will be accessible even to women who are victims of domestic abuse who do not have the money to pay.)
Apart from Robredo’s online forums on Wednesday, she also attended the “Pink Magic of Hope” rally at Plaza Noli in Sampaloc, Manila, with her running mate Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. Organizers said around 5000 ‘Kakampinks’ turned up for this event.