More than 100 members of the LGBTQ community led by the Iloilo Pride Council and LGBTQ rights advocates gathered at the Sunburst Park to condemn the controversial statement made by former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel “Boy” Mejorada. His comments drew widespread condemnation on social media especially from the LGBTQ community who accused him of stereotyping gays. While Biron has not acknowledged employing Mejorada, his chief of staff Lemuel Fernandez immediately issued a statement disowning Mejorada’s statement after some of the criticisms also targeted the legislator. “Dok Ferj Biron and our Biron Campaign disown any statements that tend to discredit or discriminate members of the LGBTQ community. Mejorada’s apology failed to placate the LGBTQ community who said his comments had no place in Iloilo City which has an existing anti-discrimination ordinance.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 16, 2019 00:22 UTC