What? What's the basis?
In an eight-page resolution dated Nov. 11, the Comelec’s Second Division said Ang Ladlad’s petition “must fail” despite the group’s fulfillment of poll requirements, because the practice of homosexuality offends morals.
Homosexuality is against Christian and Muslim faiths, it said. To construct a basis for the rejection they unequivocally quoted Romans 1:26-27
“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women
did change the natural use into that which is against nature, And likewise
also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one
toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and
receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.”
and from the Q’uran:
“For ye practice your lusts on men in preference to women:
ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds.” (7:81)
“and we rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): Then see what
was the end of those who indulged in sin and crime!” (7:84)
“He said: “O my Lord! Help thou me against people who do mischief!” (29:30)
The division headed by Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer (with Commissioners Elias Yusoph and Lucenito Tagle as members) said they will be subjecting the youth to an environment that is not part of the teachings they believe in.
“Furthermore, should this Commission grant the petition, we will be exposing our youth to the environment that does not conform to the teachings of our faith,”
The COMELEC also used the teachings of Lehman Strauss, an American Bible teacher, who said in one of his article that, “Older practicing homosexuals are a threat to the youth.” So the Comelec said the principles of Ang Ladlad were a threat to young Filipinos.
“As an agency of the government, ours too is the State’s avowed duty under Section 13, Article II of the Constitution to protect our youth from moral and spiritual degradation,” the resolution added.
Ladlad leader Danton Remoto, a professor at Ateneo de Manila University, slammed the ruling for being “intellectually bankrupt.”
“The decision of the very old men showed painfully obsolete ideas about homosexuality,” Remoto said. “This is the 21st century and there should be human rights for all.”
Remoto said his group, which has 22,000 members nationwide, would file a motion for reconsideration. If it is rejected, he said he would go to the Supreme Court.
Ah...let me remind the COMELEC on the Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
2. All human rights are universal, interdependent, indivisible and interrelated.
3. Sexual orientation and gender identity are integral to every person’s dignity and humanity and must not be the basis for discrimination or abuse.
In our Constitution there is a provision regarding the Separation of Church and State (Article II Section 6). The 1987 Constitution, states in Article II, Section 6: the separation of Church and State shall be inviolable”. There is also a provision regarding the respect and protection of the equality in dignity, rights and freedoms of each Filipino no matter what status or characteristic they have (Article II Section 11).
So, is the COMELEC, Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, Commissioners Elias Yusoph and Lucenito Tagle have the "divine" authority to judge and to deemed who is immoral and who is not base on their religious indoctrination?
