Gay Rights Party Ang Ladlad Can Run Says High Court, Church Disagrees

It was a victory for the gay rights movement to finally get the approval of the highest court saying that they can participate in the May 10 national elections. The party who was previously disqualified by the COMELEC for moral issues went to the Supreme Court to fight the case. The court asked the poll body to accredit the application of the Ang Ladlad as a party list.

"I felt vindicated," said Danton Remoto, the head of the group. He said that Ang Ladlad had struggled for recognition and accreditation for the past seven years. The ruling was unanimous citing that there is no law that would bar the gay party to participate in the coming elections. "The denial of Ang Ladlad's registration on purely moral grounds amounts more to a statement of dislike and disapproval of homosexuals, rather than a tool to further any substantial public interest," the court said.

However, a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church expressed his disappointment on the decision of the high court. The church has been firm in teaching about the issue of morality.