Homophobic Philippines Duterte About Faces On Gay Marriage Against Wishes of Catholic Church

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed his support for same-sex marriage, after previously declaring his opposition, in an about-face that may displease bishops in the mainly Roman Catholic country.

Speaking at a gathering of LGBT people in his hometown Davao City, Mr Duterte vowed to protect the rights of homosexuals and invited them to nominate a representative to work in his government.

"I said I am for [same-]sex marriage if that is the trend of the modern times," he said.

"If that will add to your happiness, I am for it."

Mr Duterte previously was quoted by local media as saying he was opposed to same-sex unions because marriage in the Philippines is only between a man and a woman.

The President had brought up the gender issue in the past while attacking Western countries that allow it, especially those who criticise his brutal war on drugs.

Many countries, mostly in Western Europe and the Americas, have already recognised same-sex unions. 

Australia is the latest to legalise it after federal Parliament earlier this month amended the Marriage Act to allow same-sex couples to wed. The first such marriages under Australian law were held on Saturday.

Catholic bishops in the Philippines, who also oppose Mr Duterte's bloody anti-narcotics campaign, have voiced concern over legalising same-sex marriage after his top ally in Congress vowed earlier this year to push for it.

"Why impose a morality that is no longer working and almost passed," Mr Duterte said, in an apparent reference to traditional church teaching on the issue.

"So I am with you."

He asked the LGBT community to nominate a representative whom he could appoint to a government post, saying he needed "the brightest" to replace those he had recently fired over allegations of corruption.

"You nominate somebody who is honest, hardworking. I give you until the second week of January to nominate," he said.

Reuters

In the coming months we will learn what this homophobe Trumpie act alike is thinking. When a person who only cares how everything affects him personally says,
"If that will add to your happiness, I am for it." one has to watch ones back. On the other hand may be he is foud out someone close to him is gay but when a person like him changes position so fast and drastically you know there is a good reason for it that is not immediadly known. Some might say so what? The end game is what matters! And I understand that except when an enemy says Im your friend one has to get chills before one gets happy about about the new found concern for human happiness.
Adam Gonzalez