House panel votes to include gender identity in anti-discrimination bill

The House Committee on Human Rights voted 13-1 to keep gender identity as a ground for discrimination in a proposed anti-discrimination bill.

Deputy Speaker Bienvenido "Benny" Abante expressed reservations, believing "gender identity" was redundant and already covered by terms like "gender" and "sexual orientation."

Abante suggested that "gender expression" might be acceptable but maintained that "gender identity" was unnecessary.

Representative Geraldine Roman countered that "gender identity" is recognized by medical and psychological sectors and is already defined in existing Philippine laws.

Representatives Kiko Benitez and France Castro found no objections to including "gender identity" as a protected category.