Northwestern University

BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

POSITION PAPER

Austin Emori F. De Castro

Crisdel Khaye P. Adina

Raymund Keith C. Tabbu

Situation:

Issue: Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in the Philippines

Stand on the Issue: Opposition

Thesis Statement: The legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in the Philippines should be prohibited because
it violates the Family Code of the Philippines; it is not widely accepted in society; and mostly it is morally
wrong.

The issue of same-sex marriage has been a controversial topic in the Philippines for many years. It has
been going on for decades, and the concept of same-sex marriage is taboo in our society and is still met
with the same negative acceptance by many. Although the concept of a marriage between two persons
of the same sex is relaxed and accepted by other more progressive "woke" societies, our society does
not.

While some argue that it is a basic human right for individuals to marry whomever they choose,
regardless of gender, majority believe that marriage should be reserved for opposite-sex couples. This
position paper will explore the arguments against same-sex marriage in the Philippines, including
religious beliefs, traditional values, and the potential negative effects on society and the institution of
marriage.

It is important to note that this paper does not aim to discriminate against or disregard the LGBTQIA+
community, but rather to present the opposing viewpoint on the issue of same-sex marriage. However,
the legalization of Same-Sex Marriage in the Philippines shouldn't be allowed as it violates the Family
Code of the Philippines, the concept of Same-Sex Marriage in the Philippines is not accepted in society,
and it is morally wrong.

One of the main arguments against same-sex marriage in the Philippines is that it violates the country's
Family Code. The Family Code, which was enacted in 1987, defines marriage as a "special contract of
permanent union between a man and a woman." This definition excludes same-sex couples from being
able to legally marry in the Philippines. This definition is supported by the Supreme Court of the
Philippines in the case of Republic vs. CA and Olalia (G.R. No. 122156, May 5, 1998). In this case, the
court upheld the constitutionality of the Family Code and its definition of marriage as being between a
man and a woman. The court stated that "the Family Code did not provide any ground for the granting
of marriage licenses to couples of the same sex." Furthermore, in the case of Ang Ladlad LGBT Party vs.
Commission on Elections (G.R. No. 190582, April 8, 2010), the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the
Commission on Elections to deny accreditation to Ang Ladlad, an organization advocating for the rights
of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, because the organization's "advocacy
of same-sex marriage is contrary to law and public policy."

Why should we follow the rules of the written law?

The Constitution and other related laws are designed to bring discipline and order to society. If society
does not follow laws and legal orders, then there will be chaos. The individuals that violate the laws will
be met with penalties. This brings me to the next argument below.

Another argument against same-sex marriage in the Philippines is that it is not accepted by society. The
Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country, and the Catholic Church has long opposed same-sex
marriage, viewing it as a violation of traditional values and moral teachings.

Many Filipinos hold strong religious beliefs and consider marriage to be a sacred institution between a
man and a woman. In a survey conducted by the Social Weather Station in 2015, 76% of Filipinos said
that they believed that same-sex marriage should not be allowed in the Philippines. Similarly, a 2017
survey by the Pew Research Center found that only 21% of Filipinos believed that society should accept
homosexuality. While Homosexuality may be accepted to a certain degree, marriage between those of
the same sex is NOT generally accepted.

Moreover, the concept of same-sex marriage in the Philippines is considered to be an import and not in
line with Philippine culture. The Philippines is a country with a rich history, and the traditional concept
of family is based on a family with a father, mother, and children. The idea of same-sex marriage
challenges the traditional concept of family, and many Filipinos view it as a threat to the traditional
family structure. In addition, The Philippine society is known for its strong sense of community, and
many Filipinos consider marriage to be a public declaration of commitment and an opportunity to
strengthen community ties. Same-sex marriage would not be accepted by the majority of the Philippine
society as it does not follow to the traditional concept of family and community.

What happens when a segment of society knowingly and willingly opposes the accepted traditions and
values of society?

Society becomes divided, and with its division, certain values and traditions are ruined. When
divisiveness becomes the norm in society, confusion will follow, and as the number of individuals being
confused rises, so does the growing anger and resentment within each divided segment of society. The
inevitable and logical progression of events will lead to chaos and hostilities. This now leads to my third
and final argument that same-sex marriage is morally wrong.

Same-sex marriage in the Philippines being a generally accepted norm is morally wrong. Many
individuals who are against same-sex marriage believe that it goes against traditional moral teachings
and that it is an irregularity of the natural order. Thus, allowing same-sex couples to marry would be a
violation of traditional moral teachings and would undermine the sacredness of marriage. Much more
than this it creates the idea that engaging in same-sex marriages is okay when the fact is it is not okay
and anything that goes against the morality of any person or human being is considered evil. Therefore,
if same-sex marriages integrate into the morality of society, then it is essentially wrong.

The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a sacrament, a sacred and holy bond between a man and a
woman that is blessed by God. Allowing same-sex couples to marry would be seen as a violation of the
 Northwestern University
BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Senior High School

sacrament. Moreover, many believe that same-sex attraction is morally wrong and that it goes against
the natural order of things because biologically, a man must be partnered with a woman to achieve
what genetics dictate, and that is to procreate.

We argue that marriage is a union between a man and a woman for procreation and that same-sex
marriage would not fulfill this purpose. They view same-sex attraction as a moral failing, and therefore,
same-sex marriage is morally wrong.

Society says that legalizing same-sex marriage would promote acceptance and tolerance for the LGBTQ+
community in the Philippines. It would send a message that the Philippines values and respects diversity
and that all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, are equal in the eyes of the law.

It is important to note that marriage is a legal contract between two individuals, particularly that of a
man and a woman and that the state has no right to impose religious beliefs on the entire population,
however the state has the right to impose upon its people the rule of law. Additionally, the idea that
same-sex attraction is natural is not supported by any scientific evidence while the concept of opposite
sex being attracted to each other has been the foundation of genetics.

While it is true that the state has to acknowledge the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, the state has
the more important moral obligation to protect the foundation of a community and that is under the
concept of a family as defined by law. Therefore, denying same-sex couples the right to marry based on
moral beliefs is a valid reason for the separation of the LGBTQIA+ from the right to enter into same sex
marriage. Apart from this, it is more important to note that the state has the mandate to uphold the law
of the land and protect the rights of the majority to the exclusion of others. After all equality does not
mean a similar treatment for everyone regardless of circumstance but rather to treat everyone under
the same circumstance with fairness.

In conclusion, the issue of same-sex marriage in the Philippines is a complex and contentious topic with
valid arguments on both sides. The Supreme Court of the Philippines has repeatedly upheld the Family
Code's clear definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and it can be argued that
allowing same-sex marriage would violate the Philippines' Family Code and Supreme Court decisions.
Additionally, due to the country's strong religious beliefs, traditional values, and the perception that
same-sex marriage is an import that challenges the traditional concept of family and community, it can
be argued that society in the Philippines does not accept the idea of same-sex marriage. Furthermore,
some argue that same-sex marriage is morally wrong in the Philippines due to the belief that it goes
against traditional moral teachings, undermines the sanctity of marriage, goes against the natural order
of things, and would lead to societal decline.