Couple pushes same-sex unions as civil partnership

A gay couple involved in pageantry is pushing for same-sex unions to be recognized as civil partnership in the country.

This after Congress holds an online poll on legalization of same-sex unions as civil partnership.

Manix Genabe, Executive Vice President of Miss Teen Tourism beauty pageant, defended the same-sex unions in a post on Facebook. His partner is Dr. Jumel Bornilla, president of the same teen contest.

Genabe said: "My partner and I have been together for almost 13 years but we are still limited to being 'friends' in the eyes of the government and other parties.

"I cannot make him my beneficiary for my insurance and vice versa. We cannot declare 'married' status in any document. 

"We cannot own properties together. I remember one time that a vehicle of ours was carnapped and I cannot report it since it was not under my name and I am in no way 'related' to him.

Manix Genabe (left) and partner Dr. Jumel Bornilla (right). Joining them are Simone Nadine, Bornilla's daughter.

"The way we circumvented this is by having a business together and owning it 50/50 as a partnership.

"Hence, in the eyes of the bank, we are one. In SEC, BIR, SSS, Pagibig, we are one.

"But it's hard. So I believe it is high time for same-sex unions to be recognized as civil partnership in the country," Genabe said.

Genabe encouraged the public to cast their vote in the online poll of http://www.congress.gov.ph/ and "help us get almost the same rights as straight couples do."

In the online survey, the voters are asked: "Are you in favor of the proposal in the House of Representatives which legalizes same-sex unions as civil partnership in the country?" 

As of 8:20 a.m. May 23, a total of 218,255 votes was cast: Yes - 116,252 votes, No - 100,931, and Undecided - 1,072. - ROBERT R. REQUINTINA