Three lawmakers have filed a bill seeking to make discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics (SOGIESC) a punishable offense.
House Bill No. 5266, or the SOGIESC Equality Act-filed by Reps. Brian Poe of the FPJ Panday Bayanihan party list, Ryan Recto of Batangas’ 6th District, and Javier Miguel Benitez of Negros Occidental’s 3rd District lay down clear prohibitions and penalties against discrimination in workplaces, schools, public offices, and all sectors of society. It mandates government and private institutions to establish grievance mechanisms and diversity programs, ensuring that respect and equal treatment are enforced-not just preached.
‘Equal protection under the law must be more than rhetoric,’ said Poe. ‘Discrimination is not a cultural issue-it’s a legal one. We’re legislating accountability where it’s long been missing.’
Recto added that the measure addresses a ‘long-standing vacuum’ in national policy. ‘For years, people have faced bias and exclusion without any real legal recourse. This bill ends that gap and puts the law squarely on the side of fairness.’
Benitez described the measure as part of a broader effort to modernize and humanize Philippine governance. ‘Our generation of lawmakers is not afraid to tackle issues older politicians have avoided. Equality and justice are non-negotiable.’
The proposed law codifies penalties ranging from P100,000 to P500,000 in fines and one to 12 years of imprisonment for discriminatory acts. It also empowers agencies such as the Commission on Human Rights, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Civil Service Commission to investigate and sanction offenders.
The SOGIESC Equality Act marks a renewed push for national legislation after two decades of stalled attempts. While several local governments have enacted anti-discrimination ordinances, the absence of a comprehensive national law has left millions of Filipinos unprotected.
‘Passing this bill is not just about inclusion-it’s about asserting that every Filipino, regardless of background or identity, stands equal before the law,’ Poe emphasized.
The authors vowed to push the measure through committee hearings and plenary debates, calling on their colleagues to back a law that enforces one of the Constitution’s most fundamental guarantees: equality before the law.
‘This is not about political correctness,’ Benitez said. ‘It’s about political courage.’