BATAAN Representative Geraldine Roman lauded the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday, February 15, for allowing her, a transgender woman, to serve the country in uniform.
Roman, the country's first ever transgender lawmaker, took her oath on Wednesday morning, February 14, as an AFP reservist officer.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana administered the oath-taking ceremony, which was also attended by General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, AFP chief-of-staff, and other defense officials.
"I commend the AFP for allowing Filipino LGBT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders) members to serve their country in uniform," she said.
Roman said she believes that all "patriotic" Filipinos must be allowed to serve the military regardless of their gender, sexual orientation and identification.
"After all, war and disaster do not recognize gender," she added.
Roman said the Congress is working on a bill to revive the mandatory ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) program to inculcate among the youth patriotism.
"For service of country, we must bring back the mandatory ROTC program for grades 11 and 12. We in Congress are working to make the ROTC experience a significant, beneficial and meaningful training experience," she said.
President Rodrigo Duterte, through his chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo, during his first year in term said he wants to make the ROTC mandatory again to instill discipline and patriotism among the youth.
Activists objected to this, saying hazing and other abuses will escalate if ROTC becomes mandatory. (SunStar Philippines)