Rappler Talk: SC tackles same-sex marriage in historic oral arguments

Bookmark this page to watch the interview on Thursday, June 14

MANILA, Philippines – In a historic first, the Supreme Court (SC), will tackle in oral arguments a petition seeking to legalize same-sex marriage in the Philippines.

Gay lawyer Jesus Falcis filed the petition 3 years ago, in 2015, and he will finally have his day in court on Tuesday, June 19. His petition was bolstered by intervenors Crescencio “Ceejay” Agbayani and Marlon Felipe, a gay couple.

Agbayani and Felipe got married in 2009 in a religious ceremony, but their union is not recognized by the State, and their application for a marriage license was denied. Their case gave the petition legal standing as they have suffered “actual injury” because there is no same-sex marriage here.

In December 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte said he has nothing against same-sex marriage, but only if the law would be amended.

Falcis’ petition seeks to declare as unconstitutional the provisions in the Family Code that limit marriage to a man and a woman.

“Articles 1 and 2 of the Family Code regulate fundamental rights such as the right to due process and equal protection, right to decisional and marital privacy, and the right to found a family in accordance with religious convictions,” Falcis said.

The petition is expected to attract strong reactions as the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country.

Join us on Thursday, June 14, as we talk to Falcis, Agbayani, and Felipe to discuss the landmark petition. – Rappler.com