By Jewilyn Sta. Maria

Marawi Grand Mosque’s Group Grand Imam and its followers withdraw their support from Senator Robinhood Padilla after he files a bill seeking to institutionalize same-sex civil union.

Photo Courtesy of TFBM/VCM The Celebrity Source/The Filipino Times


According to a statement of condemnation from the Office of the Grand Imam of the Marawi Grand Mosque, Grand Imam Alim Abdulmajeed Djamla said they “strongly condemned" Padilla’s sponsorship of Senate Bill No. 449, also known as "An Act Institutionalizing Civil Unions of Same Sex Couples, Establishing Their Rights and Obligations, and For Other Purposes.”

Djamla mentioned that based on their doctrine, same-sex marriage is considered immoral by all religions and is forbidden (Haram) under Islamic law.

In response to some Muslim organizations' "reminders" of his bill, Padilla said he will not question them as they know what is right and wrong in their faith.

"Sila po ang nakakaalam ng tama at mali sa ating pananampalataya. Kailanman man po hindi ko sasalungatin ang kanilang mga pahayag ng pagtutuwid. Bagkus nagpapasalamat po ako sa kanilang mga paalala at pahayag. Alhamdulillah jazakum allah khayran,“ he said in a statement.

The Muslim senator, however, did not technically sponsor a same-sex marriage bill but only sought to institutionalize same-sex civil unions in the country.

Padilla noted that the country still lacks legislative measures to afford equal rights and privileges for same-sex couples that are enjoyed by heterosexual couples.

“This proposed measure therefore seeks to recognize the civil union between two persons of the same or opposite sex to be able to enjoy the rights, protection, and privileges afforded in this bill,” he added.

Under the Family Code of the Philippines, same-sex marriage is prohibited since it only acknowledges the marriage of a man and a woman.

Several gender equality legislation, such as those addressing civil unions and anti-discrimination protection, have been filed to Congress but have been frequently rejected by lawmakers, noting that Philippines remains a predominantly Catholic country.


Edited by Audrei Jeremy Mendador