“Given the presidential pardon of Joseph Scott Pemberton, what can you say about the current state of LGBTQ+ rights in the Philippines?”

“What was clear here is that the Duterte government finds LGBTQ+ justice issues dispensable or pawnable in the scheme of international politics. However you try to spin it, it is clear [that the] diplomatic agenda under the Duterte government has zero respect or acknowledgment of global standards on human rights and identity protection.”

Hansley Juliano
Faculty Member, Political Science Department

“Pemberton’s murder of Jennifer Laude was a hate crime—one targeting the LGBTQ+ community—and the act of Duterte granting absolute pardon to the US convict aids in the possible escalation of similar cases in the future. […] Duterte’s pardon not only sends the message that he found Pemberton’s murder of Jennifer Laude inconsequential, but that he was willing to let it go regardless of the offenses and the feelings of the Laude family, and all that they represented: The discriminated, the marginalized, and the victims of injustice.”

Gwyneth Camelon
President, The Ateneo Assembly

“Jennifer Laude was, first and foremost, a human like any other. Regardless of her gender identity, and Pemberton’s awareness thereof, her death by his hand still stands. [The pardon] sends the message that those who commit gender-based violence will not be held accountable, and that the lives of the LGBTQ+ are not valued. One’s gender or sexuality should never be a reason for discrimination, let alone aggression or violence, and yet, it seems that many still continue to draw a line separating the LGBTQ+ from the rest of society.”

Raya Ramon
Former Co-commissioner, Sanggunian Commission on Gender Equality

“We must view the story of Jennifer Laude and this injustice she experienced as merely a symptom of the pervasive cancer that is the maltreatment of LGBTQ+ Filipinos in all aspects of life, be it economic, socio-political or even in healthcare. […] As we continue to pursue justice for Jennifer, may we also remember all the unnamed members of the community who are victims of this oppressive society; for it is only when we further the human rights of all that true equality may be achieved.”

Andrei Narciso
Interim Commissioner, Sanggunian Commission on Gender Equality

“There is no single biggest setback in [normalizing] LGBTQ+ rights in the country than that decision to pardon Joseph Pemberton. As an observer, you can see how this decision made the LGBTQ+ feel unsafe, that if they were murdered in their own homeland, no one would care [about] their deaths. They will just be [part] of the statistics that the Philippine National Police [releases] every time there is a news coverage related to it. That alone can make LGBTQ+ people feel unwelcome in their own backyards.”

Jolo Gonzales
Deputy for Student Affairs, School of Social Sciences Sanggunian

“LGBTQ+ rights [advocates have] so much more to achieve in order to progress in our society. Undoubtedly, it has become more appealing to the people, but we have yet to change the entire atmosphere surrounding it. We need to educate the people as to why it is pertinent that it [should be] respected the same way we respect other people’s rights. It is a difficult process, but if we open ourselves more to change, we can make this a safer and better world.”

Gabby Bernardo
2 AB POS-MPM

“The news about the presidential pardon of Pemberton just showed that the country still has a long way to go in accepting [the] LGBTQ+ community. The government basically chose [not to] punish Pemberton for his crimes, which failed to bring justice for the victim, and [it] was seen as an act of disrespect towards the entire LGBTQ+ community. The Philippines has to collectively progress towards a more accepting state, [as] seen [through] our actions.”

Mark*
2 BS PSY

“In light of the issue regarding the president pardoning Pemberton, I think this is a clear representation of how the LGBTQ+ community is being treated here in the Philippines. He murdered a woman, referred to her as “it,” and yet, he was pardoned. He dehumanized her. He took her life. But now, he is enjoying what he took away from Jennifer Laude. […] To say that Jennifer Laude’s untimely death was unfair is a complete understatement. Justice has yet to be served.”

Noey Silva
2 BFA AM

“As progressive as we are [to be] a nation championing for LGBTQ+ rights, instances like [Laude’s] are heartbreaking because our people faced an unjustified situation in an era where we [should be just]. But this can be used as a catalyst to inspire [change], to remind people that there is still a long way to go, [and] to bring light to people like Jennifer Laude.”

Bradford Kaw
3 BS ME

“Cases such as the presidential pardon of Joseph Scott Pemberton opens our eyes to the reality that beyond the surface, the oppression, exclusion, and unequal treatment of the LGBTQ+ community still exists and is rather institutionalized in this country. Although we’ve gone a long way in terms of acceptance and love towards the community, there is much more to do—we must continue to fight on towards their human rights, protection [under] the law, and true equality.”

Nicole Namoco
Co-commissioner, Sanggunian Commission on Mental Health

*Editor’s Note: An interviewee’s name has been changed upon their request to protect their identity.