Members of the LGBTQIA+ community on November 4 do not believe presidential aspirant Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso’s promise that they will be protected once he becomes the next Philippine president.
“I have no prejudice with people. As long as you are an asset to the state, you have talents that can be utilized in governance through public service, you are welcome,” Domagoso said yesterday during his recent virtual meeting with leaders of the Filipino-American community-based in California.
“Sa akin, more than the recognition, is for them, these talents to be utilized by us. And it’s a matter of policy, you’ve been seeing that in Manila.”
However, netizens lashed out at what Isko said.
A supporter of the said community recalled the incident in June 2020 after a Pride protest to junk the controversial anti-terrorism bill went awry.
ULOL PUTA TANDA MO PA BA TOH?????? SA MAYNILA YAN, ISKO! https://t.co/qi0ZydiOjN pic.twitter.com/vYxyj949Un
— kiel (@makimbeki) November 4, 2021
Back then, at least 20 Pride protesters got arrested due to a “violation” of safety protocols.
Comedian and It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda even called out Domagoso to help the detained individuals.
The arrested protesters got released on June 30, 2020.
The incident became memorable with LGBTQIA+ members and allies, reliving the trauma of what happened in the rally.
https://twitter.com/_xvrgrc/status/1456154654857842688
https://twitter.com/akosiSHERLOCKH/status/1456179764536901640
https://twitter.com/YanaShcherban/status/1456153217058820100
Domagoso’s promise is now being used against him as Filipinos start to lose faith in him.
https://twitter.com/CarlOrivida/status/1456170072976723978
https://twitter.com/ajthemagnus/status/1456144516004540418
Some even considered his statement as that of a traditional (TRAPO) politician.
https://twitter.com/aoxree/status/1456156103645876225
A netizen even pointed that the Manila mayor was mum on the LGBTQIA+ protest in 2020. Yet, today, he dares to make such a promise.
Isko perpormative amputa. wala ka ngang imik sa LGBT protest last year.
pahirap ka rin isko sa mga vendors!
isko trapo! https://t.co/AC7XN3UZ7j— noah (@Noahcartiii) November 4, 2021
Meanwhile, a netizen defended Domagoso, noting that the mayor signed a city ordinance in October 2020 that seeks protection of LGBTQIA+ community against discrimination after what happened in the LGBTQIA+-led protest a few months back.
https://twitter.com/ainttmom/status/1456160197282435078
The netizen was referring to Ordinance No. 8695 or the Manila LGBTQIA+ Protection Ordinance of 2020.
The ordinance bans discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE).
“I hope this is just a start. There will be long-painstaking processes that we need to achieve, but at the very least that we can do for you is that our local government be with you,” Moreno said in a statement.
