The recent Supreme Court ruling recognizing the co-ownership of property for same-sex couples is, without a doubt, a win. By invoking Article 148 of the Family Code, the Court finally acknowledges a truth known by the community all along: the sweat, tears, and hard-earned money poured into building a life together actually matter. For the queer community, this is about more than land titles or bank accounts; it is about being seen. It is about the highest court in the land admitting that when two women or two men build a life, that contribution is real, valid, and deserves the protection of the law.

But the bare minimum of equality is not yet met.

As Valentine’s Day approaches and the country celebrates love, it is a bitter irony that queer couples must still jump through hoops to prove theirs. While others are granted protection by default, same-sex partners are forced to provide “proof of actual contribution” just to claim what is rightfully theirs. The community is being squeezed into laws that were never designed for them, simply because no law exists to fully recognize their humanity. As the Supreme Court itself pointed out, judges cannot do this alone. They can interpret the law, but they cannot create the justice that only a legislature can provide.

The struggle does not end with a shared deed to a house. A house is just a building; a home is a place to live free from fear, free from being fired for who one loves, and free from being turned away because of an identity. DAKILA stands for a society that does not just tolerate existence but actively protects dignity. Co-ownership is a start, but it is not a shield against the discrimination that still runs rampant in the streets, workplaces, and schools.

To the Senate: the Supreme Court has passed the ball. It is time to stop stalling. Prioritize and pass the SOGIE Equality Bill and the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill (CADB) immediately. To the public: do not let this news be a reason to grow complacent. Use every platform to pressure leaders and tell them that half-steps are no longer enough.

The era of being legally invisible must end. No one should have to prove their worth one receipt at a time. The Filipino people deserve a country where rights are not decided by financial contributions, but by shared humanity. The work continues until every person, regardless of who they love, can stand tall, fully protected, and truly free.

#PassADBNow #SOGIEEqualityBillNow