Manila, Philippines – Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña is pushing House Bill 5474 or the “Cagandahan Bill,” which aims to facilitate the process of changing the name and gender of intersex persons in government documents without having to go through the courts.
The bill was filed to allow an individual to change their gender to match their identity.
According to Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña, why is it necessary to go through the court process for gender reassignment when it can be processed at the municipality.
Under the current law or Republic Act 9048 as amended as RA 10172, is a law that allows clerical or typographical errors in civil registry documents, including changing a person’s first name and nickname without the need for a court order.
This administrative process is handled by the city/municipal civil registrar or the consul general who requires a judicial order for the changes and there are only limited reasons for allowing a person to change their name and gender.
Cendaña added that Intersex Filipinos deserve to be recognized in the eyes of the law.
“They should have the right to live in alignment with their identities without the tedious and expensive process of hiring a lawyer, proving themselves before a court, and waiting indefinitely for a ruling.”
Also included in the bill’s co-authors are:
- Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao
- Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno
- Akbayan Rep. Dadah Kiram-Ismula
The Akbayan Partylist hopes that this will be enacted to provide dignity, recognition, and legal protection to intersex Filipinos, while advancing an inclusive system in the country.—Grachella Corazon, Eurotv News