Duterte on same-sex marriage: ‘We can change the law’

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – In the same year he rejected the idea of same-sex marriage in the Philippines, could President Rodrigo Duterte be changing his mind?

Addressing a gathering of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in Davao City on Sunday, December 17, Duterte clarified that he has nothing against same-sex marriage, but the law must be amended.

“Ako gusto ko, same-sex marriage. Ang problema, we’ll have to change the law, but we can change the law,” he said as the crowd applauded.

(I want same-sex marriage. The problem is, we’ll have to change the law, but we can change the law.)

Back in March, Duterte himself said the country cannot legalize same-sex marriage, citing the Civil Code.

Following that, Senator Risa Hontiveros took a swipe at Duterte in June, saying the President has failed the LGBT community with his “macho politics.”

But with his pronouncement on Sunday, will Duterte fulfill one of his campaign promises?

Since the 2016 campaign period, the President has said he supports the LGBT community. According to Duterte, the LGBT community is on equal footing with the rest of society in his hometown of Davao City.

In Davao City, he once told TV host Vice Ganda, “No gay person is disrespected. Because I don’t like oppression.” – Rappler.com