TWO ETHICAL ISSUES IN THE PHILIPPINES.

Before I give my two example of ethical issue, let me explain first what is ethical issue.
Ethical issue, according to some source in google, is a problem or situation that requires a
person or organization to choose between alternatives that must be evaluated as right (ethical)
or wrong (unethical). It is an occasion where moral standard is questioned. There were a lot
of unapproved bills in the Philippines because it violates the moral standard of the country.
As we all know, Philippines is a conservative country that strictly follows the dominant
religion which is the Roman Catholic and this is the reason why some bills were not being
approved and controversial because it is influenced by the religious and conservative aspect
of the country.
S.O.G.I.E Bill is one of the most controversial and debated bill in the Philippines.
Some says, this bill should be passed because LGBTQ community deserve this bill to protect
them from discrimination and to have equality of opportunity in getting a job. Some also
says, this bill should not be approved because it will “undercut” parent’s authority over their
child, religious freedom and freedom of expression. There were also some LGBTQ members
that does not approved this bill because they find it unnecessary to have this bill since we
already have laws that ensures them to avoid any kind of discrimination such as, the Anti-
Sexual Harassment Act of 1995, Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials
and Employees, The 1987 Philippine Constitution, and etc.
It was actually started to be heated after a trans woman Gretchen Custodio Diez was
barred from using her preferred restroom in Cubao when some women in that restroom felt
uncomfortable of a transwoman in a ladies’ bathroom. Which forms a lot of different reaction
from the people, some were really mad because of the unfair treatment of a staff toward the
transwoman where she was dragged out of the mall. There’s also the other side, that says, the
transwoman deserves to be out of the mall since she doesn’t use the appropriate restroom for
her and she makes the other women felt uncomfortable. This issue creates a lot of arguments,
where some celebrities participate on this topic. The face of Gretchen Diez was being
bombarded by the netizens in Social Medias, which a lot of memes of her face was being the
laughstock of the people. She became the political tool for some of the politicians.
For me, this issue is getting out of hand and the essence of it became a joke, when it
should be discussed seriously. It is the epitome of an ethical issue. It was hard to evaluate this
issue since it affect a lot of things.