From saying same-sex unions are “unnatural,” former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who has mounted a senatorial comeback at 94, now says he’s cool with them.
STATEMENT
At the Dec. 2 CNN Philippines senatorial forum, Enrile and other candidates were asked to raise a “yes” or “no” signboard to show their stand on key issues.
They were asked:
“Are you in favor of granting same-sex couples legal rights and status under the current civil union bill?”
Source: CNN Philippines, The Filipino Votes: How do the senatorial candidates stand on key issues?, Dec. 2, 2018, watch from 1:44:57 to 1:45:15
Enrile’s response: “Yes.”
FACT
Enrile in 2016 rejected the idea of same-sex unions.
Backing then senatorial aspirant Manny Pacquiao’s comment that those in same-sex relationships are “worse than animals,” Enrile was quoted in several news reports as saying:
“I will not make it that strong, but that is unnatural.”
Sources: GMA News Online, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard
He also told same-sex marriage backers to go to Mars:
“Tama si Pacquiao. Kung ipipilit ng mga LGBT groups ang same-sex marriage, mainam pa na pumunta sila sa planetang Mars (Pacquiao is right. If LGBT groups insist on same-sex marriage, they better go to the planet Mars).”
Sources: ABS-CBN News, Interaksyon, GMA News Online
Enrile, accused of plunder for his alleged involvement in the multibillion-peso Priority Development Assistance Fund or “pork barrel” scam, was released on bail in 2015 for humanitarian reasons.
Sources:
ABS-CBN News, Enrile: Same-sex marriage backers should go to Mars, Feb. 17, 2016
GMA News Online, Enrile to Pacquiao’s LGBT critics: Better go to Mars, Feb. 17, 2016
Interaksyon, Kakampi ni Pacman | Enrile backs Pacquiao, says those who want same-sex marriage can go to Mars, Feb. 17, 2016
Manila Standard, Pacquiao defended over same sex gaffe, Feb. 18, 2016
Manila Bulletin, ‘Go to Mars,’ Enrile tells those in same-sex relationship, Feb. 18, 2016
(Guided by the code of principles of the International Fact-Checking Network at Poynter, VERA Files tracks the false claims, flip-flops, misleading statements of public officials and figures, and debunks them with factual evidence. Find out more about this initiative and our methodology.)
