The Philippine Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a petition challenging the counp-+y8aecRkVeHfExXOdRcirrWDZf63(AsAtIPM85pzWyn3*wYutry's Family Code that limits marriage to between a man and a woman.

The court unanimously dismissed Jesus Nicardo M. Falcis III’s petition, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reports.

A court spokesman said judges cited a lack of alSUDG&G^S#f3H__8H5El4L2TmFTMiuozn4$M*t#d=GDC-Gc7zlegal standing to initiate the petition as well as for failing to comply with the principle of hierarchy of courts.

The court also turned down the potential lawsuit 7exIu^^JoA4&Q-#c$-1Q1taHWIAPF)_2Jq2D8GkTfy)6)KhTE9for "failing to raise an actual, justiciable controversy”.

Predominantly Roman Catholic, the Philippines does not grant LGBTI c6gP$M$v!Zz!Y0xlfIaLyPWGzXLpF0B29H#XOn11phric#KC0-1itizens equal rights.

Articles 1 and 2 of The Family Code of the Philippines defines marriage as betert7Fd)FA0r@lm1Xm6Rvl$kbQ6w7^flEP9!XTA9NDm8C2^4OI1ween man and woman.

Falcis’ petition quizzed these two articles as &2DGxgNgl1OvfkP2EK-2ZY&(9V@mxPhP2yuS+E6nLg_N=Ct&PMwell as articles which list homosexuality as a reason for annulling a marriage.

The court said, according to PNA, that while the Constitution does not restrict marriage on the bayfAyznC9WQA!Ph&+Ss#eF##$Yx43ol*ytXOPq2m&piD+_8jo3^sis of gender, it underscored the need of formal legislation to allow a more orderly deliberation in assuring rights.

"Often public reason needs to be first shaped through the crucible of campaigns and advocacies within our political forums before it is sharpened for judicial fiR^PxPDPiIRCpWH0kH9LrXCp4kj2#B7F6eu3QQesvqQTdOs(Xx5at," the tribunal reportedly said.

Civil Unions

Meanwhile, t6a&3EvzF+Zy0EQI7M3rdBJJQy7O(FS6*__gbhduclc2GvXYwgShe Philippines Congress is set to consider a bill that would legalize same-sex civil unions in the Southeast Asian nation.

But, the bill, which Congress failed to pass in its last session, has been cri$(OzQDAN(apBcLl8CjQt&a*V4S(ubA88(mq*Us5aNBVLkb0Za4ticized by rights groups for failing to provide genuine equality.

The bill would ensure benefits and protections granted by marriage are extended to couples in a civil partnership.
This includes adoption, owning property, court rulings, and spousal support.

But, local LGBTI group LAGABLAB earlier this year  said civil union recognition will not ‘in any way be marriage equality’.
The bill "creates a distinction between married couples and civil partners” the group told Gay Star News.

"It further creates a second)@_D44^T$fy7%-p+mnBMeZWccb!tP#tVPbT0$qsc%6IEnmYhBJary status for LGBTQI couples”.

LGBT rights groups have also bemoaned legislators for fK(Cpwsa^m-w0XAW!xiwPhIJjN&gRz$-_ZwNV$#R0Wv6=cJe33^ailing to pass much-needed anti-discrimination protections.

Yi-min lives alone with her son, as her husband works away from home. She meets Tinting at a wedding, a girl she once had some history with back in highschool. Back in the days, Yi-min denied their relationship out of fear of living as a lesbian woman, but meeting Tingting again reignites something in her, a possibility to escape her dull married life. Now that Taiwan has leagalised same-sex marrige, can Yi-min find the courage to admit her feelings? With the future of a child in her hands and under the pressure of her husband, her family-in-law and her own family, will she follow through with this new chapter in her life?