It seems that President Rodrigo Duterte would side with the LGBTQ+ community after the palace informed the press that the chief executive would push for a separate comfort room for them.
During a press conference on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the President believes that a separate restroom for the LGBTQ+ would be the best solution to avoid another case of inequity.
“Ang sinasabi niya, dapat meron ng third restroom for them. Sinabi niya, pinag-usapan namin iyon kahapon,” Panelo said.
Panelo also said that there are still people in the Philippines who are not comfortable with sharing their restroom with the LGBTQ+ so a third restroom may give more comfort to all gender.
“Tama naman iyon, ako I agree na kailangan talaga may third restroom for them para wala nang problema di ba, that will solve everything. Kasi papasok ka sa female, siyempre hindi rin komportable iyong mga babae, alam nilang lalaki pala iyon; ganundin sa kabila, di ba. So the best is you have a third restroom for them, di wala nang problema,” Panelo explained.
Several hours after the press conference, President Rodrigo Duterte met Gretchen Diez, the trans woman who sparked the discussion about the SOGIE Equality Bill.
Diez was accompanied by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and Bataan first district Rep. Geraldine Roman who’s also a trans woman.
The Palace is not yet releasing any information about the meeting.
Diez experienced unfair treatment in a female restroom in Cubao, the police even handcuffed her and brought to Camp Karingal.
The incident involving Diez received mixed reaction among netizens.