Ballesteros on trans woman issue: ‘Magpakatao tayong lahat’

Paolo Ballesteros (Photo from Instagram / @pochoy_29)

MANILA, Philippines — “Magpakatao tayong lahat.”

This was actor and television host Paolo Ballesteros’ answer when sought for his comment on letting a transgender woman use a female restroom.

“Kailangan lang siguro magpakatao tayong lahat. Hindi naman masama ‘yung pagbigyan mo siya. Hindi naman nakakababa ng pagkatao ‘yun, di ba?” Ballesteros said Tuesday during the press conference of his upcoming film “The Panti Sisters.”

“Eh kung gusto niya dito umihi, pipigilan mo ba ‘yun? Hindi naman siya nakapatay. Bakit mo siya ipoposas? Masama bang umihi?” he continued.

“I think it boils down to the person, ’yung kung ano ‘yung iniisip mo. Kailangan may firm grasp ka ng kung ano ‘yung tama at mali,” Ballesteros said.

“Kung umihi sa CR ng babae, e ano naman, di ba? Kung ikaw sa sarili mo, hindi ka naman niya tinapakan noong umiihi siya doon o hindi ka naman niya inihian sa mukha,” he pointed out.

Recently, a trans woman named Gretchen Diez was barred by janitress Chayra Ganal from entering a ladies’ room in Farmers Plaza at the Araneta Center in Quezon City.

Diez was arrested after she documented the incident via Facebook Live, but she was later on released after the janitress apologized and backed out from filing unjust vexation charges.

Despite an apology from the mall management, Diez’s camp is still looking at filing charges for violating Quezon City’s Gender Fair Ordinance, which prohibits any form of discrimination against any person on the basis of sexual preference.

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