By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — Some 30 LGBTIQ+ Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials nationwide on Friday (Feb. 7) asserted their equality agenda at the “Queer Leaders Forum” at Hive Hotel here.
Spearheaded by Pantay, the Leaders’ Forum and Media Launch was the culminating activity of the Pinoy LGBTIQ+ POWER (Progressive Officials Working for Equality and Rights) project geared towards forming an all-queer network of young local leaders in the Philippines.
The all-LGBTIQ+ leaders network seeks to be an avenue to encourage more queer people to engage in politics, provide inclusive voters’ education, and promote gender-inclusive and feminist programs.
In his speech, Barangay Mayha, Odiongan Captain Adrian Fornal, one of the POWER fellows from Romblon province, said “Sa tagal ko nang namumuno, iilan lamang ang mga oportunidad na ginawa para sa aming mga namumuno na LGBTIQ+”.
Fornal said that the project is a bold stride towards transforming traditional politics and governance in the country.
He added that he is proud to be part of the first-of-its-kind fellowship program designed to empower queer elected officials at the levels of the SK and the Barangay in the country.
Fornal noted that the first batch of POWER Fellows gathered together to celebrate their contributions to their communities and sign the Equality Agenda, which signifies their commitment to promoting the rights of gender minorities.
The Fellows launched the first national network of queer elected officials working together to advance gender-transformative and feminist leadership and governance.
In her video message, Bataan (1st District) Rep. Geraldine Roman extended her warmest greetings for the launch of the LGBTIQ+ village and SK officials network.
Rep. Roman expressed her deepest gratitude and wished the group the best in all their undertakings and endeavors.
In his speech, Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña said that it was the first time that the House of Representatives (House) has impeached a Vice President of the Republic.
With 215 votes, Vice President Sara Duterte was impeached by the House and the Articles of Impeachment were immediately filed with the Senate before the 19th Congress adjourned sine die on Feb. 5, 2025, or six days before the start of the campaign for the national positions for the May 12, 2025 midterm elections.
Rep. Cendaña added that queer people are intelligent people and are “born leaders” such that in all their gatherings their voices stand out from the rest.
He recalled that their fight in the Reproductive Health Bill is now undersiege.
Rep. Cendaña stressed that they have chosen the equality advocacy where they find the “meaning” of diverse, inclusivity and just gender-based and feminist and transformative governance.
Also present were Pantay leaders from the cities of Malolos, with 357-strong members, and San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, and from the province of Dinagat Islands.
They tackled transparency, good governance and advocacy in the local communities.
They noted that Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene “Kaka” Javellana Bag-ao authored the SOGIE Bill in the House of Representatives.
The LGBTIQ+ elected officials have committed to protect and promote LGBTIQ+ votes, open to diverse leadership, weave inclusive voter’s education and more inclusive GAD funding, empower feminist leaders and reclaim queer people in politics.
