Philippines Supreme Court Turns Down Gay Marriage Case
Short‑and‑sweet summary: The highest court in the Philippines cut a landmark gay‑marriage case in half, handing a cool‑head “no” to the legal battle. LGBTQ+ activists have already scoffed and said the fight is far from over.
What the Court Actually Did
- The decision was unanimous. All justices agreed the case had no merit.
- Technical reasons, not moral ones. The judges said that because Jesus Falcis never tried to get married, he didn’t stand to benefit if the law’s definition of marriage changed.
- Falcis’s argument that the law violated his rights was put on rock‑and‑roll standby.
Key Take‑away from the Court’s Ruling
“Our Constitution does not define or restrict marriage based on sexual orientation or gender identity.” The court said, leaving the door open (for now) for Congress to step in if the same‑sex unions want to be addressed.
Reactions from the LGBTQ+ Community
Danton Remoto, the chair of Ang Ladlad (which literally means “Out of the Closet”), quickly spun a statement that showed the next move is the legislature, not the courts.
- “We’re still going to fight for an anti‑discrimination bill.” The message was clear – laws are the way forward.
- Remoto also warned that the Senate, which is led by folks who still think the church and state should be fused, may be a tough roadblock.
Where the Philippines Stands
While the country sometimes gets a thumbs‑up for “accepting same‑sex relationships,” it has very few legal protections for LGBTQ+ folks. The 107‑million‑strong population is mostly Christian, and:
- Abortion is illegal.
- Divorce is also illegal – you’ll find it only in the Vatican and the Philippines.
- Only about 80% of the population follows Christianity, so conservative values run deep.
Bottom Line
The Supreme Court’s pandemic of a no may be a dark cloud on the horizon, but the sunny side is that the LGBTQ+ community is already drafting a new blueprint — a bill that could finally give them the rights they rightfully deserve. It’s a battle that won’t wait because the Philippines still has a long road ahead toward equality, and the next big trip will be from the bench to the congressional floor.
