SC junks same-sex marriage

The Highest Court of the Philippines has repeated its dismissal of a plea to include same-sex couples in the definition of marriage.

It was reported January 6, that the Supreme Court has “denied with finality” and “no further pleadings or motions will be entertained” regarding the petition which was earlier dismissed last September.

Atty. Jesus Nicardo M. Falcis III and the LGBTS Christian Church Inc. filed the petition in 2015, with the Supreme Court dismissing the petition on the grounds that the applicant lacked standing because he did not have a partner, nor was he seeking a same-sex marriage.

Falcis sought to challenge provisions in the country’s Family Code that defined marriage as a “permanent union between a man and a woman.” The 33-year-old lawyer also challenged clauses declaring homosexuality as grounds for legal separation and declaring concealment of homosexuality at the time of marriage as an act of fraud that constitutes grounds for annulment.

Falcis said that he decided to use the tool of litigation, because according to him, it has been successful in other countries like the United States to have gay marriage legalized.

But the Supreme Court unanimously rejected the petition saying the petitioner lacked the legal standing and had failed to raise an actual, justiciable controversy.

“Adjudication assures arguments between parties with respect to the existence and interpretation of fundamental freedoms. On the other hand, legislation ideally allows democratic deliberation on the various ways to assure those fundamental rights,” according to the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Bishop Abel Apigo in a comment posted online regarding this issue said that this is a win for the Filipino family.

“Daug ang pamilya,” Bishop Apigo said, underlining the importance of marriage in the building of families.

The Church has been strongly opposing the redefining of marriage since it is a sacrament and it should only be between a man and a woman.