Philippine court refuses to legalise gay marriage

The Philippine Supreme Court has indeed refused to legalize same-sex marriage in the country. In a landmark decision in 2015, the court ruled that same-sex couples cannot marry under the Philippine Constitution, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

The decision was made in response to a petition filed by several same-sex couples who sought to have their marriages recognized by the government. The petitioners argued that the Philippine Constitution's provision on marriage was discriminatory and violated their rights to equality and human dignity.

However, the Supreme Court disagreed, ruling that the Constitution's definition of marriage was based on the country's cultural and religious values, and that same-sex marriage was not recognized by the Philippine Civil Code.

The court also noted that the Philippine government had not yet passed a law recognizing same-sex marriage, and that the Constitution did not provide for the recognition of same-sex marriage.

The decision was met with disappointment and criticism from the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters, who argued that the ruling was discriminatory and violated their human rights.

Despite this setback, the push for same-sex marriage recognition in the Philippines continues. In 2019, the Philippine House of Representatives passed a bill that would recognize same-sex marriage, but it has yet to be approved by the Senate.

The Philippine government has also taken steps to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals, including the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance in 2017, which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression.

While the Philippine Supreme Court's decision may have been a setback for same-sex marriage recognition, it is clear that the push for LGBTQ+ rights and recognition continues in the country.