On June 11, San Juan became the second city in the Philippines to adopt the Right to Care card after Quezon City first launched it in June 2023. The city joins a growing list of local government units (LGUs) taking steps to secure rights for LGBTQ Filipinos in the absence of a national SOGIE equality law.
The Right to Care card, which started as a project by the Quezon City government and the marketing company MullenLowe Treyna, contains a QR code that links to a notarized special power of attorney (SPA). The card and SPA recognize LGBTQIA+ individuals’ right to decide to accept, refuse, and withdraw consent to medical treatments on their partners’ behalf.
In the Philippines, only legal spouses or next of kin can make such decisions when their spouses or relatives are unable to due to medical conditions.
“This reflects our sincere commitment to create a truly inclusive and equitable city that recognizes the fundamental rights of everyone,” said San Juan Councilor Rolando “Totoy” Bernardo. “We are proud to build upon the progressive spirit of Quezon City’s initiative and tailor it to the needs of our community.”
Other provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays have implemented their own anti-discrimination ordinances. As of 2022, eight provinces prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE): Albay, Agusan del Norte, Bataan, Batangas, Cavite, the Dinagat Islands, Ilocos Sur, and Iloilo. At least 32 cities have established similar policies at the local level, including Antipolo, Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu City, Davao City, and Puerto Princesa.
As of 2018, the anti-discrimination ordinances across the country only protected 18.4 percent of Filipinos, leaving 82.4 million Filipinos vulnerable to SOGIE-based discrimination, according to University of the Philippines assistant professor of statistics Xavier Javines Bilon.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the SOGIE Equality Bill, which has been awaiting passage in Congress. Its first iteration was filed by the late former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago and former Akbayan Representative Etta Rosales in 2000, and was followed by many other versions filed in succeeding congresses. Its latest version was filed in 2023, but also suffered inaction from the legislature.
On June 5, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) renewed its call for the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill into law. “Pride is a resounding call for the urgent passage of key policies, including the SOGIE Equality Bill and the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill,” the CHR said. “As the 20th Congress is set to begin, the Commission expresses its hope that these legislative measures will finally be prioritized, grounded in the principles of equality, justice, and human rights.”
