The local Muslim community of Bacolod City joined the Diocese of Bacolod in calling for the opposition to the civil unions proposal, claiming an equivalence to same-sex marriage, which was previously forwarded by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Abdul Rasheed Espinosa, leader of the local Muslim Brotherhood, said, for Muslims, there are only two sexes, male and female; emphasizing, not male and male, or female and female.

He further noted, same-sex marriage is forbidden under scriptures of the Quran and the Holy Bible.

Espinosa cited an example from the Book of Genesis, in which God punished Sodom and Gomorrah for sinful acts, which, he warned, could happen in the country if civil unions were legalized.

The local Muslim leader added, Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya should oppose the proposal in the House of Representatives.

Earlier this year, former San Sebastian Cathedral rector, Fr. Felix Pasquin, voiced his opposition to Alvarez’s civil union proposal, calling it a “travesty of God’s intent in instituting the sacrament of marriage.”

In addition, Alvarez is also pushing for legalizing divorce, which is also opposed by the Diocese of Bacolod.

Earlier this year, the speaker clarified civil unions are intended for both homosexual and heterosexual couples.

“Magkakaroon ng property relations between the two of them (They can have property relations between the two of them),” he explained. “Tapos yung right to support each other; tapos yung right to adopt children (They will have a right to support each other and adopt children).”/DGB, WDJ