By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: Bohol Chronicle

The confession of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio of being a part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community received backlash from a LGBT group.

According to LGBT group Bahaghari, in a statement of their chairperson Rey Valmores-Salinas, such confessions are just a “costume” for the elections: "It is a lifelong struggle in a world steeped with deep hatred and exclusion of our community.”

"Huwag po tayong magpapabudol [Let us not be fooled]. This is nothing more than a 'trapo' behavior by a politician seeking votes and sympathy from our community. Is Inday Sara's extension of the so-called ‘Duterte legacy’ in the interest of LGBTQIA+ Filipinos? Because given the last six years of a Duterte presidency, the answer is a complete and resounding no.” Salinas added.

Salinas also took a jab at Sara’s father and incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte, who vowed for protecting LGBT and civil unions, but ended up supporting and prioritizing "anti-people" policies such as the TRAIN Law, the Rice Liberalization Act, the Anti-Terrorism Law, the SIM Card Registration Act, and others instead.

She also added that the legacy of the Dutertes is the abuses against the members of the LGBT community, criminal acts, and economic crisis, as she cited the absolute pardon of Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton, who claimed the life of Jennifer Laude in 2014.

Salinas ended by saying that should Sara and her running mate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. win the presidency and the vice presidency, they "would no doubt only plunge LGBTQIA+ Filipinos into deeper and deeper corruption and suffering."


Edited by: Phylline Calubayan