A lawmaker, the first transgender woman to be elected to the House of Representatives, reiterated that the country's law on gender equality prohibits discrimination in job opportunities, educational institutions, the provision of public services, and access to public spaces and accommodations. Bataan First District Rep. Geraldine Roman, House Committee on Women and Gender Equality chairman, posted on her social media account on Thursday that the measure cannot be used by the general public to defend violent acts against authorities, drag performances that degrade religious objects, or the forced stripping of people in bars.

'In fact, there is no provision in the bill that will nullify any existing laws on physical injuries, alarm and scandal, disobedience to authority, direct assault, or Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code on offending religious feelings,' Roman said.