Comelec’s move to reject Ladlad’s party-accreditation didn’t win them any points with the young
“Comelec’s rejection of Ang Ladlad’s accreditation reeks of ignorance and discrimination. I’m appalled at their brazen outspokenness against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders—important members of our society who deserve as much respect and recognition. The Comelec should stay within its mandate and focus on how to make the elections work instead of lecturing us about morals.” - Marge Francia, 31, rights advocate and musician

“Time and again, it is the Comelec, through its inefficiency, ignorance and now, intolerance, that proves itself the greater threat to the youth and the country’s future.”

-Mark Christian Parladé, 30-something PR guy

“A backward kind of thinking is the last thing this country needs. Other countries celebrate diversity in sexuality while we’re still stuck in this old-school conservative rut.”

-Quel, 24, writer

“I’ve been of the opinion that this country’s compliant attitude toward the Catholic church will continue to keep us from being a truly democratic and humanitarian nation. Gays are a threat to youth? And heterosexual officials who take advantage of public funds aren’t? Isn’t it time to learn how to think instead of thinking the way the Church tells us to?” -Ian

“Immorality? If they are all for morality, they should start self-evaluation! Are they trying to say majority of people in power are moral? How about those who have ‘kabit’ (and I’m not just talking about the ‘other woman’)!” -Ram, marketing communications manager

“I honestly think we should be getting younger politicians and stop getting people whose prime was during the dark ages. Comelec calls Ladlad ‘sexually immoral,’ I, on the other hand, think that the Comelec is closed-minded, homophobic and downright cruel for doing this. Gays/lesbians are a very important part of Philippine culture and society, let’s give them the respect they deserve.” -Quark

“Apparently, modernizing our electoral system shouldn’t just mean automation. It should also involve correcting the archaic standpoint of Comelec. It’s unfortunate that such narrow-minded individuals would exceed their mandate by arbitrarily conjuring up excuses for their decision, which is a violation of constitutionally guaranteed rights. Homosexuality is not at all immorality. What is immoral is the intolerance and bigotry of those who hypocritically advocate progress while espousing outmoded beliefs that result in the marginalization of human beings.” -Jeff Crisostomo, 24, UP Alyansa member

“It is both appalling and disgusting that the Comelec, which is supposed to uphold the democratic rights of the people, has a primitive and oppressive perspective about homosexuality. We’re not even discussing gay marriage yet. This is just simply a call for representing a minority group in Congress and already it is being rejected. Gay citizens pay their taxes too. Accord them their right to be heard.” -Tristan Salgado, 32

“If we were to disqualify politicians on the basis of the 10 Commandments alone, no one will be left in office.

“Show me a politician who hasn’t stolen, lied and slept with a neighbor’s wife, and I’ll show you Mikey Arroyo as a summa cum laude from Harvard.”-Jason Doplito, 28, editor

“The Comelec said that it does not want to “[expose] our youth to an environment that does not conform to the teachings of our faith.” I don’t know about the faith of Nicodemo Ferrer, but my faith tells me that the rights of ALL human beings should be respected, protected and promoted. I don’t want the youth to grow up in an environment full of hatred. What are these Comelec commissioners so afraid of? That LGBTs would be allowed to marry? That they would have the right to jointly own property? That they would be allowed to adopt children as a couple?

-Cy, 25, aliping namamahay, bi-curious

“I’m appalled. This Comelec is chauvinist. It doesn’t recognize the spirit of sector representation. It is insensitive to equal rights. Yet it has the gall to accredit bogus groups that support GMA.” -Arvin Crisol, HR manager

“Hypocrites! If they are so against immorality, then they should get rid of the people in the Senate and House first.” -Patricia Cotaoco, 26

“It’s either social conservatives shun topics about homosexuality or I haven’t been bold and prudent enough to stand for my sexuality. Have I been on the streets to make the world known that I love men and be sincerely proud about it? Have I been assertive enough to speak to my peers (especially to the straight ones) during lunch breaks about how gay marriage won’t change the foundation of society? That AIDS is not really a gay disease? Have I made a step to call the radio stations to ban that deregatory song because ‘Umibig ng bakla nakakalat lang ‘yan diyan.’ isn’t helping at all? I haven’t.” -Giles

“If gay priests could run, they’d probably be joining Ladlad, too.” -Richelle Ann V. Vibal, marketing & communications associate, VSO Bahaginan

“Homosexuality does not equate to immorality. I do not say this because I want to defend myself for being bisexual—I say this because as far as I’m concerned, my sexual orientation and preference is none of your business. It is religion that dictates and defines morality. Now, religion is something that man created. It is an interpretation of their chosen deities’ teachings. Didn’t your god say that it’s immoral for you to judge people? (Those of you who have not sinned shall cast the first stone...) Didn’t your god teach tolerance and love for ALL of his creations? Didn’t your god create us as well? Ano kami? Kabuteng umusbong na lang sa sanga ng kahoy? So until the powers that be come to me and speak to me directly, I cannot accept your opinion and judgment on how immoral we are.” -Ian Victor, actress

“I immediately checked the date of the newspaper I was reading. Am I still in 2009 or did I mysteriously travel back to the age of inquisition in my sleep? It is most unfortunate that there are still people who decide based on primeval thinking which doesn’t complement the current, collective pursuit of free-thinking and acceptance of individual differences. If the Comelec is really itching to weed out candidates perceived to be immoral and pose a threat to the Pinoy youth, they should begin with those errant and corrupt politicians seeking re-election.” -Dennis Heruela/30-something/marketing communications specialist

“I’m apathetic about politics but I’m all for equal rights. I’m a non-practicing Catholic but I respect the sacraments and believe in God. To use immorality though as grounds is too strong a word to use. I challenge Comelec to be the first to cast a stone on the grounds of immorality!” -Ayee Flores, 29, senior operations manager

“Let the electorate decide whether or not gay people should be represented in Congress, not the Comelec.” -RJ Ledesma

“Ignorance is immoral.” -Raya Martin, 25, filmmaker

“It only proves that in the Philippines, democracy is only for the chosen ones. We are facing regression.” -JR Isaac

“I believe the only time Comelec can preach about immorality is the minute they can make sure we can have clean and honest elections.” -Cynthia, 27, entrepreneur

“I’d rather have an honest gay politician than a straight corrupt one!” -Tatin, makeup artist

“When did gender, age and race ever stop a person from being immoral? It’s all about choices. I raised my children to be free.” -Pia M., non-judgmental “mommager”

“Homosexuals threatening the fabric of our country by requesting for representation can’t do anything worse than the heterosexuals who are in charge who are taking it on a joyride. It’s hypocritical, primitive and so simplistic of the Comelec.” -Joseph Pascual, 21, UP Film major

“No one has the right to say we are immoral and a threat to the youth. How dare them! The commissioners are so judgmental, so full of discrimination and hate. They mentioned stereotypical myths that have been disproved years ago. What saddens me are the way these commissioners are standing by their irrational beliefs. These are not the traits a true Christian and Muslim are known for. I am lucky to call some my friends and relatives and they are not like them. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders are NOT immoral. We are not a threat to the youth. You are, our dear commissioners, when you continue to encourage these kind of prejudices.” - Ging Cristobal, project coordinator, IGHLRC/member, Lesbian Advocates Philippines

“Funny, I always thought thieves, presidential sycophants and jerks were the ones that were over-represented in the Congress.” -Bam, doctor

“When did our law ever state rules on sexual preferences? When it is said that ignorance of the law excuses nobody, it also means that the law is fair and equal, even when it comes to party accreditation. It shouldn’t matter if it were led by someone straight, gay or bisexual, what matters is if we were led by good conscience and the desire to help change our beloved country for the better.” -Miles Montecillo, 26, account director

“People of Comelec, before pointing your dirty fingers in dire need of a manicure at us and calling us immoral, better look at yourselves and evaluate those that you have allowed to run first. The piling dirt in the House of Representatives began with you. Better check your so-called morals by our (beauty) parlors’ doors because your understanding of morality is far soiled than ours. There’s nothing immoral with someone painting his nails red, wearing dress shoes without socks, cutting her hair short to look boyish, or keeping her boobies under wraps. What’s immoral is the breach of trust of public trust committed by corrupt politicians. Immorality is nothing but an excuse to dismiss us. I think your are just afraid that Congress would get a real makeover”. -Giff, 29

I don’t understand how the Comelec can still live in the dark ages. All they have to do is watch television or browse some websites to know that the LGBT community has been influencing the youth all over the world. Do they know who Ellen de Generes is? Have they seen “Milk?” “Maximo Oliveros?” Boy Abunda? Manny Castaneda? There are just as many teachers and media people who are part of the LGBT community who are helping shape the values and morals of the next generation. And they want to obstruct people like them from having a voice in the government? That just seems counter-productive. And it’s very hypocritical. People at Comelec should stop living under a rock and join the 21st century. -Wanggo, journalist

“The Comelec is a bunch of douchebags and hypocrites! Talking about immorality when their hands are dirty. Isn’t it immoral to have Virgilio Garcillano as one of their commissioners? Also having the voters registration moved to an unconstitutional date?

“And the Comelec division that denied Ladlad used a Biblical excerpt for its decision! Hello! Article 2 section 6 of the 1987 Constitution states that the separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.

“They should have denied accreditation to the Buhay party list of El Shaddai and the party list of Eddie Villanueva’s son!” -Ben Chaleco, 23, gym instructor

“Comelec, if I want my dose of immorality, I won’t look to the LGBT/Ladlad and instead to the current administration as it has murdered journalists, brutalized student activists, oppressed farmers, and swindled us of our taxes. So if I want to threaten the youth, I will not threaten them with the idea of two men holding hands but of their future in corrupt and bigoted hands.” -Liz, 23, MA Anthropology Student (UP Diliman)

“There should be a clear separation between church and state. I fully support the RH bill and Ladlad.” -Jugs, musician

“The alpha males of government are scared because a new gender is now emerging as a threat to their power, who’re probably 10 times more unified than they are.” -Ping, actor, climate-change activist

“Comelec’s disqualification of Ladlad proves how 1) Ignorant they are, 2) How marginalized and 3) How unrepresented gay people are in the Philippines. -JC Valenzuela, 25, Events & Digital Communication

“I want to strap down Comelec officials and make them watch ‘Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros’ and ‘The Laramie Project.’ Then maybe, just maybe, they wouldn’t be as ignorant as they are now.”- Nina, 24, graphic artist

“The idea of the party-list stems from the principle that under-represented sectors have a chance to have their voice heard. If the Comelec considers Ladlad as an agency for immorality, shouldn’t the voters figure that out for themselves? Last time we had elections, the same group was disqualified for not having a national presence. This year, it’s a question of morality. Clearly, Comelec seems misaligned with what it ought to be doing.

“The Comelec says gays and lesbians are more than adequately represented in Congress. If that were the case, aren’t certain families over-represented in the two houses of Congress? Why not disqualify them? It seems that common sense, fair play, and tolerance are under-represented in the Comelec.”- Mon Guinto, Banker