Padilla bill seeks to institutionalize civil partnerships for same-sex couples

by Dhel Nazario

Published Jul 21, 2025 02:25 pm

At A Glance

Senator Robinhood Padilla filed a bill seeking to institutionalize civil partnerships for same-sex couples in the Philippines, granting them rights and protections similar to marriage while exempting religious groups from solemnizing such unions.

Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla has filed a bill seeking to institutionalize the civil partnership of same sex couples.

Once enacted, the unnumbered bill shall be known as the Civil Partnership Act.

Under its Declaration of Policy, it says that the State shall recognize the need to protect its citizens who are in a relationship with the same sex, accord the same rights and obligations similar to married couples and ensure that they are not discriminated against.

It states that any person who complies with the requirements provided shall be allowed to register and enter into a civil partnership, and shall be bound by the obligations and responsibilities and enjoy protections and benefits afforded by this Act.

Under it, the following are the requisites for civil partnership:

Legal capacity of the contracting parties:

At least 18 years of age;

Not prohibited to enter into civil union by reason of public policy;

Free from any previous bond of marriage or civil partnership.

Consent freely given in the presence of the administering officer;

Authority of the administering officer;

A valid license to contract or enter into a civil partnership issued by and obtained from the local civil registrar of the city or municipality where either party habitually resides; and

A civil partnership ceremony which takes place with the personal appearance of the contracting parties before the administering officer and their personal declaration, that they take each other as legal partners in the presence of not less than two witnesses of legal age.

According to the bill, no specific religious rite or form shall be required for purposes of this requirement.

It also enumerates the benefits, protections, and responsibilities of civil partnerships:

All benefits and protections as are granted to spouses in a marriage under existing laws, administrative orders, court rulings, or those derived as a matter of public policy, or any other source of civil law;

Laws on marital relations, including donations by reason of marriage, legal separation, adoption, child custody and support, property division and maintenance, and spousal support;

Rights of civil partnership couples with respect to a child of whom both become the parents of during the terms of the civil partnership, shall be the same as those of a married couples with respect to their child;

All contracts made between persons in contemplation of a civil partnership shall remain in full force after such civil partnership takes place;

A certified true copy of the record of the civil partnership from the local civil registrar having custody of the record shall be presumptive evidence of the civil partnership for all legal purposes;

Laws relating to intestate succession, survivorship, or other incidents of the acquisition, ownership or transfer, inter vivos or at death, of real or personal property, as affecting parties to a marriage, shall likewise be applicable;

Causes of action related to or depended upon spousal status, including torts or actions under contracts reciting, related to, or dependent upon spousal status may be availed of;

Couples shall automatically have insurable interest over their respective partners and may avail of benefits relating to insurance, health and pension benefits provided to married couples;

Labor standard benefits, privileges, restriction and prohibition accorded to employees based on marital status shall likewise be accorded;

Benefits under tax laws relating to marital status shall be applicable;

Coverage of laws relating to immunity from being compelled to testify against the other and bound by the marital communication privilege;

Hospital visitation rights and the authority to give consent to any medical treatment in behalf of his/her civil partner whenever required;

Visitation rights in detention facilities; and

Decision making in burial arrangements.

It also penalizes those who knowingly or willfully refuse to issue civil partnership licenses or certificates despite being authorized to do so; denies rights and benefits entitled to civil partnership couples; commits unlawful, discriminatory employment practices or commits discriminatory practices to children of civil partnership couples.

These offenses are punishable by a fine of not less than P500,000 but not more than P1 million, or imprisonment for 10 years.

"This proposed measure therefore seeks to recognize the civil partnership between two (2) persons of the same or opposite sex to be able to enjoy the rights, protection, and privileges afforded in this bill while respecting the religious sensibilities abound in our society," Padilla said in the bill's explanatory note.

"Under this proposed measure, religious organizations shall not be compelled to solemnize same-sex unions and such will only have legal effect when solemnized by the administering officers identified in this Act," he added.

Padilla stated it's "high time" that the Philippines provides equal rights and recognition for couples of the same sex.

He added that providing equal rights and privileges for same-sex couples will in no way diminish or trample on the rights granted to religiously solemnized married couples.

Padilla bats for clearer Halal regulation, better awareness on Muslim dietary principles

BY DHEL NAZARIO

Sep 11, 2023 06:10 PM 

Sen. Robin Padilla on Monday, Sept. 11 pushed for clearer regulations on Halal certification amid the confusion brought by having two different agencies involved in the certification and accreditation. 

Sen. Robin Padilla presides over the Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs hearing to discuss Senate Bill No. 2406 or the National Day for Awareness of Religious and Traditional Garments and Attire, and Senate Resolution No. 743, or the Plight of Muslim Community in the Observance of Their Dietary Principles. (Senate PRIB photo)

During the hearing of the Committee on Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs chaired by Padilla, he called for the clarification of the role of agencies involved in the certification of Halal food products and the detection and seizure of fake Halal products. 

For now, he noted the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) are involved in certification and accreditation.

Padilla noted the Halal industry is significant, involving more than $2.22 trillion (P121.28 trillion) based on the International Market Analysis Research and Consulting Group in 2022. This is expected to grow to P228.1 trillion in 2028.

"Hiwalayin natin, isang nagse-certify at isa naghuhuli (Let us separate this so one agency will certify and another will enforce)," said Padilla.  

"Kailangan nating proteksyunan ang Muslim brothers and sisters. Bilang kami mambabatas din, tingnan din natin ang kapakanan naman ng ating nagnenegosyo (We must protect our Muslim brothers and sisters. As lawmakers, we must also consider the interests of traders)," he added.

On the other hand, he also called for the intensified awareness drive on the dietary principles of Muslims, to prevent incidents stemming from the violation of Muslims' beliefs.

There, he took up controversies including the deaths of two policemen stemming from the serving of pork to a Muslim police officer; and the issue of Halal certification.

"Nais ko pong linawin: hindi po ito paghiling ng espesyal na pagtrato. Atin lamang pong inaasahan na sa usaping ito, ay magkaroon tayo ng tapat na pakikitungo sa ating kapwa, at ganap na transparency sa publiko nang walang anumang anyo ng panlilinlang (I want to make it clear that we Muslims are not seeking special treatment. All we want is to address these issues with utmost transparency)," said Padilla.

Also, Padilla pushed for an intensified awareness and education campaign in the Philippine National Police and other government agencies regarding the dietary principles of Muslims.

He said this will help prevent incidents like the shooting incident in Taguig City that resulted in the deaths of two policemen, following a confrontation stemming from the serving of pork to a Muslim police officer.

Meanwhile, the hearing also tackled Senate Bill 2406 which sets March 1 as a day of recognition for traditional and religious attire.

Padilla said our history is not only recorded in books and documents but in attire such as "Barong Tagalog," "Balintawak," and "Baro't Saya"; Ilonggo jusi and pina, Moro malong, Bicol sinamay, nipis, and patadyong; Ilocano abel, Visayan tapis pintados, Bagobo dagmay, Bilaan tandayon, Mandaya ikat, and many more.

"Sa madaling sabi, kung nais po nating bigyang diin ang pag-iingat sa ating pambansang pagkakakilanlan at sa bukod-tanging kultura at tradisyon ng isang daan at sampung (110) grupo ng Indigenous Peoples o IPs na binubuo ng 14 hanggang 17 milyong Pilipino, mahalagang hakbang po ang pagtatalaga ng isang araw ng pagkilala sa ating kasuotang tradisyunal at panrelihiyon (If we want to give importance to our national identity and the culture and tradition of 110 Indigenous Peoples groups that comprise up to 17 million Filipinos, setting aside a day of recognition for traditional and religious attire would go a long way)," he said.

4,000 to 8,000 daily Covid-19 cases by end of October if MPHS compliance further declines – DOH

by Dhel Nazario, Manila Bulletin 

The Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday, Oct. 19 that daily Covid-19 cases may reach 4,000 to as high as 8,000 by the end of the month should compliance with minimum public health standards (MPHS) further declines.

People flock to Ilaya in Binondo, Manila on Jan. 2, 2022. Metro Manila will be under Alert Level 3 starting Jan. 3 until Jan. 15, 2022 due to the rise of COVID-19 cases. (ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)

In a press briefing, Dr. Althea de Guzman, a medical specialist from the Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau, said that based on their projections show that a continuous decline in minimum public health standards may lead to case increases.

She said that national daily cases projected using actual data, as of September 18 showed that cases detected at the national level are expected to follow a continuous slow downward trend with projections estimating cases at 1,204 cases per day by the end of October.

“However, a further decline in our MPHS compliance may reverse our trend with an increase in cases ranging from 4055 to as high as 8670 by the end of October,” she stated. She added that AuTuMN projections also show a similar trend. However, it emphasizes that even with case increases, severe and critical illnesses are not seen to exceed those previously observed during the Delta and Omicron spike.

De Guzman also mentioned that the emergence of a new variant may lead to a sharp increase in hospitalization at the beginning of 2023 in the National Capital Region (NCR).