Senatorial hopeful and anti-corruption advocate Heidi Mendoza is working to reconnect with the LGBTQIA+ community following backlash over her recent comments opposing the legalization of same-sex marriage in the Philippines.
Mendoza faced criticism after stating during a public forum that she does not support a same-sex marriage law, citing the country’s Family Code and traditional views on institutions. However, she has since issued a public apology and clarified her stance in a Facebook post on Thursday, saying she is open to learning and growing.
“To those who continue to question, challenge, and call me in, I hear you. I will continue to listen. And I will not ask you to wait in silence while I grow,” she wrote.
While she maintained her reservations about same-sex marriage from a legal standpoint, Mendoza emphasized that she “would not stand in the way of same-sex unions becoming law.”
In her statement, the former Commission on Audit commissioner and ex-UN official acknowledged that some of her words were “hurtful” and “disappointing” to many. Mendoza further explained that although she personally believes true love honors institutions, public service requires prioritizing human dignity over personal beliefs.
“Public office is not about enforcing personal beliefs. It is about upholding the rights, dignity, and safety of all Filipinos,” she said. “My job is not to impose personal doctrine. It is to serve justice.”
Mendoza also expressed her commitment to working alongside LGBTQIA+ groups and human rights advocates to craft policies that reflect the real-life experiences of Filipinos. She said she’s now focused on inclusive policymaking and ensuring equal access to opportunities in education, healthcare, and employment, regardless of gender identity.
Her remarks come amid growing frustrations over the stalled SOGIESC Equality Bill, which aims to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Mendoza was previously under fire after a university publication posted her “qualified no” stance on the bill.
In a later meeting with content creator and LGBTQIA+ advocate Sassa Gurl, Mendoza clarified that her “qualified no is not a no,” and expressed willingness to reexamine the bill’s provisions.
“I know that for many of you, my stance on marriage feels like a contradiction to the principle of pantay na karapatan (equal rights). And I understand why,” she said.
While some members of the LGBTQIA+ community have retracted their support following her comments, others remain hopeful that Mendoza’s openness to dialogue could lead to more inclusive policy work moving forward.
