Bongbong Marcos on same-sex marriage: Vox populi, vox dei

Vice presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said he has nothing against same-sex marriage if the people would support the passage of a law that would legalize it.

“Again, who am I to judge? Nasa tao yan, nasa lugar,” Marcos said in a press conference after holding a motorcade in several villages in Caloocan City.

Same-sex marriage is currently not legally recognized in the country.

While the United States Supreme Court last year upheld the constitutionality of same-sex marriage in all the 50 states of America, there is no pending bill either in the Senate or in the House of Representatives pushing for its legalization in the Philippines.

“Halimbawa kung magkakaroon tayo ng batas, eh kung sang-ayon ang taumbayan, anong sinasabi? Vox populi, vox dei, the voice of the people is the voice of God. Ganoon tayo sumusunod,” Marcos said.

Marcos issued the statement following the remark of senatorial candidate and incumbent Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao against same-sex marriage.

In an interview posted on the internet, Pacquiao said a marriage between a man and a man or a woman and a woman can be considered as an act “worse” than that of the animals.'

"Common sense lang ... Makakita ka ba ng any animals na lalake sa lalake o babae sa babae?" Pacquio said.

Mas mabuti pa ‘yung hayop marunong kumikilala kung [lalake o babae], 'di ba? Ngayon, kung lalake sa lalake o babae sa babae—mas masahol pa sa hayop ang tao," he added.

The video of the interview went viral with Pacquiao drawing firestorm from the members and advocates of the lesbians, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community including some prominent local celebrities.

Pacquiao later issued an apology saying that his remark was not meant to condemn the members of the LGBT community.

Pacquio, however, maintained that he is against same-sex marriage as it is contrary to what the Bible says.

During the press conference, Marcos said he shares the position of Pope Francis that the members of the LGBT community must not be judged and marginalized but instead, must be integrated into the society.

“Ako sumusunod ako sa sinasabi ng Santo Papa. Ang sabi ng Santo Papa: ‘Who am I to judge?’ Kung ang Santo Papa ay hindi humuhusga, bakit tayo ang huhusga?” Marcos said.

“Kaya’t kung anuman ang pamumuhay ng isang tao hangga’t walang sinasaktan at walang ginagawang masama, eh bakit naman natin sila huhusgahan? Kagaya ng sinasabi ko, sumusunod ako sa payo ng Santo Papa that we do not judge,” he added. -NB, GMA News