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Geraldine Batista Roman (born April 23, 1967) is a Filipina journalist and politician who served as the Representative of Bataan's 1st district from 2016 to 2025. She is the first transgender person elected to the Congress of the Philippines.[1][2]

Key Information

She was named as one of the 100 Leading Global Thinkers of 2016 by US-based Foreign Policy magazine, and one of the 13 Inspiring Women of 2016 by Time magazine.[3][4] She has been a member of the now-dominant Lakas–CMD since 2020, having previously been a member of the Liberal Party from 2015 to 2017 and PDP–Laban from 2017 to 2020.

Early life and education

[edit]

Geraldine Roman was born on April 23, 1967.[5] She is the second of four children born into the family of politicians Herminia Roman and Antonino Roman, Jr. and was raised as a boy.[6] She was teased by her classmates but her father taught her to be confident.[7]

Roman attended the basic education unit of Ateneo de Manila University for her elementary and high school studies. For her collegiate studies, she attended the University of the Philippines Diliman. She managed to secure a scholarship to pursue journalism at the University of the Basque Country in Spain and attained two master's degrees.[8] She worked in Spain as a senior editor for the Spanish News Agency before returning to the Philippines in 2012 to take care of her father, who was seriously ill by that time.[7]

Political career

[edit]

Congress

[edit]

During the 2016 Philippine elections, Roman ran under the Liberal Party banner for the position of 1st district representative for Bataan in the House of Representatives. She competed against Hermosa mayor Danilo Malana of Aksyon Demokratiko and won with more than 62% of the total votes and became the first ever transgender congresswoman in the Congress of the Philippines. Roman succeeded the incumbent, her mother Hermina Roman, who had a limited term.[6]

As a neophyte, she, along with other elected lawmakers (collectively known as "equality champs"), launched the passage of the anti-discrimination bill on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (now known as the SOGIE Equality Bill) through a speech in the House of Representatives that garnered international support for LGBT rights in the Philippines.[9] She also filed bills regarding eco-tourism, livelihood enhancements, agriculture advancements, health, and education, which were the advocacies of her family, and were focused on the first district of Bataan. She was named as one of the "13 Inspiring Women of 2016" by Time magazine in October 2016.[10][4]

In March 2017, while stating that she personally was against the death penalty, Roman voted in favor of the measure in the House, citing pressure from the House leadership. House Speaker Alvarez has previously threatened those who would vote against the Duterte-backed measure, stating that he would strip lawmakers from their congressional leadership posts, which would affect all the advocacy bills of stripped members, including the Bataan-focused bills and SOGIE Equality Bill of Roman.[11] In May, she left the Liberal and transferred to PDP–Laban, the current ruling political party of the Philippines, to hasten the House passage of the bills that she supported.[12] In September, the SOGIE Equality Bill passed unanimously in the House of Representatives, after 17 years of political limbo, with no lawmakers voting against it.[13] Additionally, the Free Wifi Internet Act, authored by Roman, was legislated into law. The law mandated the provisions for free wi-fi internet access in public areas.[14]

In January 2018, Roman, along with the House Speaker, filed House Bill 6595 (the Civil Partnership Bill), which seeks to legalize civil unions, regardless of gender.[15] In February, Roman became a reservist officer for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.[16][17] In August, she filed the Regional Investment and Infrastructure Council Act, which sought to create special economic zones in Luzon.[18] In September, Roman became the first committee chair of the newly created House Committee on Disaster Management.[19] In October, she again pushed for the same-sex civil union bill, adding that the "sky will not fall" if the bill is passed.[20] During the same month, she filed her certificate of candidacy for reelection in her district.[21] In November 2018, during the first meeting of the House Committee on Disaster Management which she chairs, Roman prioritized the rehabilitation of the war-torn Islamic City of Marawi.[22] By the end of the year, various measures authored by Roman were enacted into law. Some of these include the Senior Pension Act, which increased the monthly pensions of senior veterans,[23] the Bataan Foundation Act, which declares January 11 as a holiday in her home province,[24] and the Orani Foundation Act, which declares April 21 a holiday commemorating the foundation of Orani, her hometown.[25]

In February 2019, the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, authored by Roman, was enacted into law. The measure institutionalized a national cancer control program in the country.[26] In April, the Safe Spaces Act, authored by Roman, was passed into law. The measure defined gender-based sexual harassment in streets, public spaces, online, workplaces, and educational or training institutions while providing protective measures and prescribing penalties.[27] In the May 2019 district elections, Roman ran for reelection under the PDP–Laban banner, competing against Emelita Justo Lubag of Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino and won with 91% of the total votes.[28]

In August 2019, Roman sought a probe on incidents of discrimination against trans people.[29] She also campaigned for the Filipino LGBTQIA+ community to "demand from government what is due to us as human beings".[30] Roman also refiled the SOGIE Equality Bill in the House after it was not enacted into law in the previous Congress, where the measure passed in the House but failed in the Senate.[31] Roman asked the President to certify the SOGIE bill as urgent.[32] However, by September, President Duterte withdrew support of the SOGIE Bill instead.[33] In November, despite the setbacks, Roman continued to push for the bill, acknowledging that a gender-neutral bathroom policy would be a temporary solution in one of the issues raised.[34]

In March 2020, Roman left PDP–Laban to join the Lakas–CMD.[35] In November 2020, Roman called out a critic of the SOGIE Equality Bill who made false statements to create disinformation against the proposed measure.[36] Just a couple of months after leaving Duterte's PDP–Laban, President Duterte attacked Roman, who he alleged was involved in an anomalous transaction project with the DPWH. Roman denied the allegations, citing Duterte's own words, wherein the president admitted on record that he does not have any verified information to back his accusation.[37]

In May 2021, Roman pushed to include the intersex community in the draft SOGIE Equality Bill, however, conservative factions of the government blocked her proposal.[38] In March, Roman again participated in the Semana Santa celebrations in Bataan. Her family has been spearheading the Catholic festivities for generations.[39] In June, Roman launched an outreach program for the people of Bataan, providing necessities during the nationwide pandemic lockdown.[40] She also sent in aid for the outreach program launched separately by the Bataan governor in August.[41] In January 2022, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, an outbreak occurred in Bataan, resulting to many of the staff from Roman's office to become infected. Roman assured the public that her local office will reopen after following proper government protocols.[42]

Due to her popularity in the first district of Bataan, no politician contested against her in the May 2022 district elections, leading to her third term victory.[43] In November 2022, Roman launched her YouTube channel.[44] In December 2022, the House passed the Barangay Skilled Workers Registry Act, authored by Roman, which mandates all barangays to create a registry of skilled works.[45][46] Roman also filed a bill for the institutionalization of the second phase of the Agrarian Reform Act, which aims to distribute agricultural lands to qualified beneficiaries fully subsidized by the State.[47]

In February 2023, the Freelance Workers Protection Act, authored by Roman, was passed in the House. The measure provides protection and incentives to freelance workers.[48][49] In August 2023, on Earth Day, Roman called on for more environmental protection measures for the country.[50] In December 2023, the Caregivers Welfare Act, authored by Roman, was signed into law. The measure institutes policies for the protection and welfare of caregivers in the practice of their profession.[51][52]

In May 2024, the Eddie Garcia Act, authored by Roman, was signed into law. The act institutes policies for the protection and promotion of the welfare of workers and independent contractors in the film, television, and radio entertainment industry.[53][54] In June, Roman urged President Marcos to certify the SOGIE Equality Bill as urgent legislation.[55] In December, in an ambush interview, Roman apologized for her silence during the Duterte administration, citing that during that time, the government established a culture of silence especially against women politicians where opposition figures were either arrested or persecuted. She added that she had to safeguard her home district from the government. She also apologized to former senator Leila de Lima, who was unjustifiably imprisoned by Duterte.[56] De Lima acknowledged she was hurt, but accepted Roman's apology, acknowledging her bravery for coming forward.[57] On the same month, Roman announced that the House of Representative would process the impeachment complaints against vice president Sara Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte.[58]

On February 2025, Roman was among the 95 Lakas–CMD members who voted to impeach vice president Sara Duterte.[59][60] A total of 215 members or 70% of the House voted to impeach Duterte.[61] In March, Roman voiced the need to review the Family Code, which prioritizes the husband over the wife in 11 of its articles. She also again voiced her support for the divorce bill, which has met support in the House but has buckled in the Senate.[62] After the arrest of former president Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Roman pushed the government to rejoin the ranks of the ICC.[63]

Political positions

[edit]

Federalism

[edit]

Roman expressed her support for a federal form of government in the Philippines, but stated that she will introduce a clause that aims to guarantee the country's territorial integrity as she perceives that a federal system without such clause will lead to separatism due to the country's various ethnic groups, geographies, and regionalism. She cited the Spanish federal system as a possible reference for the Philippines' federal prospects.[64]

Habeas corpus

[edit]

Roman voted to approve a bill to reinstate the death penalty in the Philippines during its final reading on March 29, 2017, which met criticism online. She explained that she needed to compromise in order for her other advocacies and projects to push through. Earlier, she expressed opposition to the bill and called for the respect of the rights of convicts for reformation. Roman held a survey to gauge the views of her constituents in first district of Bataan and 85 percent of participants in a survey she conducted favored death penalty.[65]

Same-sex marriage

[edit]

Roman is the vice-chairperson of the Women and Gender Equality Committee of the Philippine House of Representatives.[66] She supports same-sex civil unions for the Philippines, but said the first priority should be an anti-discrimination law, followed by a revision of the family code. She believes that at the present time, a marriage equality bill will not pass in Congress, due to the present status quo, which is why campaigning for it should be a top priority in the coming decades. In September 2017, the SOGIE Equality Bill passed in the House. In late 2017, Roman filed a civil union bill that caters to both heterosexual couples and non-heterosexual couples. The bill is backed by the majority of lawmakers in the House of Representatives, including the House Speaker.[67]

Health services

[edit]

Roman is a member of the Health Committee of the House of Representatives.[66] She has filed a Cancer Institute bill in the House which was passed into law last February of this year as well as a Caregiver's bill. Roman supports the Mental Health Law, which was passed in 2017. She has filed a Hospitals Classification Bill which seeks to standardize the equipment, facilities, and services of hospitals on the basis of their level of classification.

War veterans' rights

[edit]

Roman is an advocate for war veteran rights in the Philippines. She is the incumbent chairperson for the Veteran Affairs and Welfare Committee in the House of Representatives. She has filed a bill seeking to increase the monthly pension of Filipino war veterans.[66]

Tourism

[edit]

Roman is an avid fan of history, culture, and the environment. She stated that her love for culture and the environment developed at home and was polished during her almost 20 years of stay in Spain, where she learned a lot about history and received two master's degrees. She has filed bills for the protection and conservation of numerous tourist sites in the first district of Bataan.[68]

Education

[edit]

Roman supports higher education in the Philippines. She has filed the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Students (UNIFAST) bill in the House of Representatives. Additionally, she has filed a bill which seeks to mandate the government to open all of its books to the people via online library.[68]

Indigenous people's rights

[edit]

Roman has filed a bill seeking to increase the representation of indigenous peoples in the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, which is near her home province of Bataan.

Agriculture and aquaculture

[edit]

Roman has filed bills on the sustainability of agriculture and aquaculture in the province of Bataan. She has also filed the re-allotment of public lands and urban lands for agricultural lands.[68]

Military career

[edit]

Roman is the first transgender military officer and reservist of the Armed Forces of the Philippines commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel.[69][70][71]

Personal life

[edit]

Roman is a transgender woman. In the 1990s, Roman underwent sex reassignment surgery, had her name legally changed, and legally changed her gender to "female".[7] She did it through an appeal through the Regional Trial Court.[72]

Roman's partner Alberto is a Spaniard residing in Spain; they are not married.[73] Aside from her native Tagalog, she also speaks English, Spanish, French and Italian.[74][2] She is member of the Philippine Academy of the Spanish Language. She is a practicing Catholic.[75]

Awards and recognitions

[edit]
  • 100 Leading Global Thinkers of 2016 by US-based Foreign Policy magazine[3]
  • Part of "Inspiring Women of 2016" list by Time magazine[4]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Geraldine Roman

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Geraldine Batista Roman (born 23 April 1967), a Filipino and former who was born male and underwent sex reassignment surgery, served as the representative for the 1st District of in the House of Representatives of the from 2016 to 2025. She gained prominence as the first individual who had transitioned genders to be elected to the Philippine Congress, achieving this in a predominantly Catholic despite facing related to her sexuality. Roman, daughter of a former district representative, leveraged her family's political legacy alongside her background in journalism—having earned degrees and worked for two decades in Spain—to enter politics. Elected under the Liberal Party in 2016 with over 62% of the vote, she was reelected subsequently but became term-limited by 2025. During her tenure, she advocated for legislation protecting the rights of those identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, including pushes for anti-discrimination measures amid ongoing debates in Philippine society. Post-Congress, she expressed interest in administrative roles such as in the Department of Social Welfare and Development or Department of Agrarian Reform. No major public controversies marred her legislative career, though her election highlighted tensions between traditional Catholic values and evolving social acceptance in the Philippines.

Early life and education

Family background and childhood

Geraldine Batista Roman was born on , 1967, as the second of four children to Antonino Roman Jr. and Herminia Roman, both former representatives for the 1st district of in the Philippine . Her father, a prominent local politician known for embodying traditional macho traits common among Filipino male leaders of his era, and her mother, who later succeeded him in , established a political dynasty centered in province. Roman's siblings include an older brother, Antonino "TonyBoy" Roman, and two younger siblings whose details remain private; the family maintained a strong emphasis on and political involvement from an early age. Growing up amid this environment in the politically charged context of , a with entrenched dynastic , Roman was exposed to governance and community leadership dynamics, though specific childhood experiences beyond familial political immersion are sparsely documented in public records. The Roman household reflected the conservative, Catholic-influenced values prevalent in mid-20th-century Philippine rural and provincial life, shaping her early worldview before her later personal transitions.

Academic pursuits

Roman completed her elementary and secondary education at the Ateneo de Manila University, an all-boys Jesuit institution in Manila. She pursued her undergraduate degree at the University of the Philippines, where the more liberal environment contrasted with her prior schooling. Following this, Roman studied in Spain on at the , earning a degree in European Languages with a major in Spanish and minor in French, along with two master's degrees and training in .

Pre-political career

Journalism and media work

Roman earned an undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of the Philippines. She subsequently pursued advanced studies in Spain, obtaining a master's degree in journalism from the University of the Basque Country. Following her education, Roman relocated to Spain, where she spent approximately two decades working in media. She served as an editor at Agencia EFE, Spain's principal international news agency, eventually advancing to senior editor. In this role, she handled news editing and reporting, drawing on her fluency in Spanish, French, and Italian to cover international affairs. Roman's tenure at EFE concluded upon her return to the Philippines in 2012 to care for her ailing father, after which she shifted focus to public service rather than continuing in journalism. Her professional experience in multilingual news production equipped her with skills in objective reporting and , though specific articles or beats authored by her remain undocumented in public records.

Military service

Geraldine Roman was commissioned as a in the reserve force of the Armed Forces of the (AFP) on February 14, 2018. She took her oath as a during a ceremony at , becoming the first openly person to hold such a rank in the AFP. Roman's entry into the reserves followed her expressed interest in , amid discussions on inclusive policies within the . The AFP designated her rank based on her professional qualifications and legislative experience, without prior active-duty service. Her commissioning highlighted the 's stance that "service knows no gender," as articulated by defense officials at the time.

Personal life

Gender identity and transition

Geraldine Roman was born Gerardo Roman on April 23, 1967, and has stated that she experienced from as early as age two or three, describing herself as since birth. She began transitioning while attending the , facing societal pressures and restrictions at her , including prohibitions on long hair and female clothing, though she received support from Jesuit priests who viewed the body as a modifiable "shell" to enable greater happiness and generosity. Roman underwent sex reassignment surgery in New York in 1994 at age 27, after which she lived publicly as a . Her name and gender were officially changed in Philippine records in 1995. By the time of her congressional election, she had presented as female for over two decades, emphasizing that her did not define her capacity for but stemmed from an innate sense of self.

Family and relationships

Geraldine Roman was born as the second of four children to Herminia Roman and Antonino Pascual Roman Jr., both former representatives of Bataan's 1st congressional district. Her father, a businessman and politician who served from 1987 to 1998, died in 2014, while her mother held the seat from 2004 to 2013 before Roman succeeded her. Roman's siblings include her brother Antonino "Tony" Roman III, who later entered politics as a representative, and two other siblings whose details remain less publicly documented. The family provided consistent support during her gender transition and political aspirations, with her father advising her to maintain confidence amid societal challenges. In her personal relationships, Roman has maintained a long-term partnership with Alberto, a Spanish national she met while studying in Spain during the early 1990s. As of 2016, they had been together for 18 years, having exchanged vows of commitment around 1998, though they are not legally married due to the absence of same-sex marriage provisions in the Philippines at the time. Alberto resides primarily in Spain, and the couple has no children. Roman has publicly described their bond as enduring, emphasizing mutual love and growth despite geographical separation and legal barriers to formal union.

Political career

Entry into politics and elections

Geraldine Roman entered politics by running for the House of Representatives in the 2016 Philippine general election as the Liberal Party candidate for Bataan's 1st congressional district. She succeeded her mother, Herminia Roman, who had previously held the seat, continuing a family political legacy in the district. The election occurred on May 9, 2016, with unofficial results on May 10 showing Roman securing victory with over 62% of the vote against her opponent. This win marked her as the first openly transgender individual elected to the Philippine Congress. Roman was re-elected to a second term in the , maintaining her representation of the district. In the 2022 general election, she ran unopposed and secured a third consecutive term, proclaimed as the sole candidate for the position. Her terms covered the 17th, 18th, and 19th Congresses, ending in 2025 when her nephew, Antonino Roman III, succeeded her. Throughout her electoral campaigns, Roman emphasized service to constituents over personal identity, leveraging her journalistic background and in the predominantly Catholic province.

Terms in Congress and legislative record

Geraldine Roman was elected to the House of Representatives in the 2016 general election, securing the seat for Bataan's 1st congressional district with 62% of the vote and beginning her service in the 17th Congress on June 30, 2016. She was reelected in the 2019 midterm elections for the 18th Congress and again in the 2022 general elections for the 19th Congress, completing three consecutive terms through June 30, 2025. During her tenure, Roman served on committees including those on civil, political, and women's rights; labor and employment; and youth and children affairs. Roman has been a principal author of 52 bills across her terms, with a focus on anti-discrimination measures, labor protections, and local development in Bataan. Notable among these is House Bill No. 267, the Anti-Discrimination Act based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE), which she introduced on June 30, 2016, in the 17th Congress to prohibit discrimination in employment, education, health care, and public accommodations, with penalties including fines up to PHP 250,000 or imprisonment. The bill, refiled in subsequent congresses including House Bill No. 4982 in the 18th Congress, advanced to committee deliberations but has not been enacted into law as of 2025. In a September 19, 2016, privilege speech, Roman urged passage to protect vulnerable groups from harassment and denial of services. Other significant legislation includes House Bill No. 7600, the Freelance Workers Protection Act, principally authored by Roman and approved on second reading by the House on February 8, 2023, in the 19th , aiming to provide social protections such as benefits and for non-regular workers. She also sponsored bills for local infrastructure and recognition, such as House Bill No. 615 declaring Tala in , , as a enterprise zone, and House Bill No. 9555 in 2023 to include recognition in processes. Roman's record emphasizes advocacy for marginalized workers and equality, though many sponsored measures remain pending in bicameral processes.

Political positions

Governance and constitutional reforms

Geraldine Roman has supported amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, arguing they are essential for attracting foreign investment and fostering national development. In February 2024, she emphasized that such changes address urgent economic needs and urged the to prioritize them over investigations into the for charter change, dismissing fears of political motives as unfounded when focused on . She has defended the ' push for Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 (RBH 7), which proposes , stating that investor feedback outweighs critiques from legal experts like former Justice . Roman has encouraged public acceptance of constitutional change, likening it to personal transformation and asserting in January 2024 that Filipinos should not fear reforms needed for progress. She opposed bundling a cha-cha plebiscite with the 2025 midterm elections in March 2024, rejecting President Jr.'s cost-saving proposal as it could undermine the process's integrity, though she backed a standalone 2025 plebiscite. In contrast, Roman has firmly rejected political amendments, such as term extensions for elected officials, warning in March 2024 that advocating them constitutes "political suicide" due to public distrust and potential backlash. This stance aligns with her broader caution against provisions that could entrench power, prioritizing economic-focused reforms to avoid perceptions of self-interest among lawmakers.

Social issues

Roman has advocated for legal recognition of same-sex s in the , arguing that such measures would affirm the rights of same-sex couples without undermining traditional marriage institutions. In October 2016, she stated that passage of a civil union bill would not destabilize society, emphasizing the need to address long-standing inequities faced by LGBTQ individuals. She has distinguished this from full , prioritizing anti-discrimination protections and family code revisions as preliminary steps toward broader LGBTQ inclusion. As the principal author of House Bill No. 4982, the Anti-Discrimination Bill based on and and Expression (SOGIE), Roman has repeatedly pushed for its enactment to prohibit discrimination in , , , and public accommodations. The bill, refiled in the 18th Congress in July 2019, aims to impose penalties for violations and extend protections against and targeting LGBTQ persons. In August 2019, she criticized Senate deliberations on related issues as irrelevant and obstructive, expressing frustration over delays in advancing SOGIE protections amid rising anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. Roman supports legalization of , viewing it as a mechanism to alleviate suffering in irreparable marriages and provide where annulments prove inadequate or inaccessible. She announced plans to champion in , framing it as an opportunity for personal renewal rather than a threat to . On transgender rights, Roman has campaigned to repeal restrictions preventing marker changes on official documents, a barrier that persists under Philippine civil registry rules requiring petitions often denied on moral grounds. Her in highlighted these administrative hurdles, which she has sought to address through legislative advocacy tied to broader equality efforts.

Sectoral and economic policies

Roman has prioritized agricultural sector reforms to address poverty and income instability among farmers and fisherfolk. In March 2023, she advocated for House Bill No. 5601, the proposed Magna Carta for Agricultural Workers, which seeks to grant social protections, minimum wage standards, and access to credit and training programs tailored to agricultural laborers, aiming to elevate their earnings through regulated employment terms and integration into government marketing systems like Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita. The measure responds to data indicating that agricultural workers in the Philippines earn below the poverty threshold, with the bill proposing mechanisms for collective bargaining and insurance coverage to foster long-term sectoral stability. Complementing these efforts, Roman authored House Bill No. 3491 in the 19th Congress to institutionalize the second phase of the , emphasizing collaborative land distribution to tenant farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries while incorporating sustainable farming practices to prevent . This builds on her earlier 2020 proposal to increase farmers' incomes via targeted subsidies and market linkages, reflecting Bataan's reliance on rice and fisheries production amid national agricultural output stagnation. On broader economic development, Roman filed House Bill No. 7380 in March 2018, creating the Regional Investment and Infrastructure Development Council and the Luzon Investment Corridor to establish special economic zones, streamline infrastructure projects, and incentivize private investments in underserved Luzon regions, including her district. In the tourism sector, she co-authored House Bill No. 7176 in the 19th Congress, granting tax exemptions to micro, small, and medium tourism enterprises to aid post-COVID-19 recovery and stimulate job creation in hospitality and related industries. Roman has endorsed amending the 1987 Constitution's economic restrictions to liberalize in key sectors, arguing in February 2024 that such changes would boost investment and growth; she urged the to prioritize these provisions over extraneous debates.

Controversies and criticisms

Stances on capital punishment

Geraldine Roman initially expressed opposition to the reinstatement of capital punishment in the Philippines, emphasizing the rights of convicts to reformation. However, on March 8, 2017, she voted in favor of House Bill No. 5854, which sought to restore the death penalty for heinous crimes, during its third and final reading in the House of Representatives, contributing to the bill's passage by a vote of 217-89. Roman defended her vote as a matter of political compromise, stating that a survey of her constituents in Bataan's 1st District showed 85% support for restoration amid concerns over drug-related crimes. She argued that representing public sentiment, particularly in a district affected by criminality, required setting aside personal beliefs, describing politics as inherently involving such trade-offs. This position aligned with her subsequent affiliation with the pro-administration Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP-Laban) in December 2017, during which she reiterated support for the measure. The vote drew criticism for inconsistency with her Liberal Party affiliation, which largely opposed the bill, and for prioritizing electoral pressures over principled opposition to state-sanctioned killing. Roman maintained that her decision was not driven by personal conviction but by democratic representation, echoing her July 25, 2017, statement that legislative choices must reflect broader societal demands rather than individual ideology. The bill ultimately stalled in the Senate and was not enacted into . No public shifts in Roman's stance have been recorded since 2017.

Positions on LGBTQ rights and marriage

Geraldine Roman has been a leading proponent of legislation to protect LGBTQ individuals from discrimination in the Philippines, where the Catholic Church's influence has historically limited such reforms. As the first openly transgender member of Congress, elected in 2016, she has prioritized the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Equality Bill, which seeks to ban discrimination in employment, education, health care, and public accommodations based on these characteristics. In a September 2016 House speech, Roman highlighted the underreporting of hate crimes against LGBTQ people—citing only 164 documented cases despite likely higher incidence due to fear and stigma—and called for comprehensive protections to align with constitutional human rights guarantees. Roman chairs the House committee on women and , which has advanced the SOGIE bill through deliberations, emphasizing its universal applicability to prevent abuses against all Filipinos, including heterosexuals, rather than solely targeting LGBTQ concerns. She has refuted claims that the bill promotes or unrelated behaviors like , clarifying that it defines and per existing legal precedents and focuses on equality in access to services and employment. In response to incidents like the 2019 killing of woman Gretchen Diez, Roman pledged congressional investigations into anti-LGBTQ violence, arguing that acceptance rhetoric ignores persistent . Regarding marriage, Roman supports equality in principle but has urged pragmatism given the Philippines' conservative religious landscape, where the Family Code defines as between a man and a woman and remains unavailable except for . In June 2018, she advised LGBTQ advocates to prioritize civil partnerships, noting they confer "practically the same rights and obligations" as , such as and medical decisions, without directly challenging marital definitions. By October 2020, she expressed confidence that the could tackle same-sex civil union bills, viewing them as a feasible interim step toward broader recognition while same-sex faces steeper opposition. Roman has rejected international pressures, such as UN recommendations for same-sex , as misaligned with local cultural and legal realities.

Other public disputes and responses

During her 2016 congressional campaign, Roman faced personal attacks from opponents who insulted her by mocking her anatomy and questioning her qualifications solely on the basis of her identity. She described these as efforts to discredit her through derogatory name-calling, which she countered by emphasizing her platform and family legacy in , ultimately securing victory with 109,006 votes. In December 2024, Roman publicly apologized for her relative silence on issues, including the extrajudicial killings under former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration from 2016 to 2022, attributing it to a strategic decision to protect her district's interests amid perceived government reprisals against critics. She stated, "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid," and committed to greater advocacy moving forward, particularly on amendments to the Safe Spaces Act. The apology drew responses from figures like former Senator , who had been imprisoned during that period and accepted it while urging women not to be silenced by fear. Roman's explanation highlighted the political pressures in a context where Duterte's administration was accused by groups of targeting opponents, though she maintained her reticence was pragmatic rather than complicit. In April 2025, Roman publicly criticized councilor candidate over her campaign jingle "Cookie ni Mocha," which Roman argued objectified women's bodies and undermined efforts for gender respect, even if intended as . In an , she urged Uson to prioritize substantive platforms over gimmicks, stating, "The of our bodies... chips away at the respect we've fought for." The Commission on Elections separately expressed concern over the jingle's sexually suggestive nature, requesting Uson reconsider its use, though Uson defended it as lighthearted. This exchange underscored Roman's role as House Committee on Women and chairperson in advocating against perceived gender-based trivialization in politics.

Awards and recent developments

Honors and recognitions

In 2016, Roman was named one of TIME magazine's 13 most inspiring women of the year, recognizing her election as the first openly member of the Philippine . That same year, she received PeopleAsia magazine's Women of Style and Substance award, honoring her as the first legislator in the country's history. On February 14, 2018, Roman was commissioned as a in the reserve force of the Armed Forces of the , marking her as the first individual to attain that rank in the military. This appointment, alongside two other lawmakers, underscored her commitment to public service beyond legislative duties.

Post-2022 activities and future prospects

During her term in the 19th Congress (2022–2025), Roman served as chairperson of the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality, overseeing legislation on , gender-based issues, and related welfare programs. She co-authored House Substitute Bill on the and and Expression (SOGIESC) Anti- Act, aiming to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, though it remained pending by session's end. Roman also filed House Bill 9555 to amend provisions on and psychological incapacity in the Family Code, seeking to align it with contemporary interpretations of marital dissolution. In May 2025, she announced plans to introduce a bill regulating platforms to combat , emphasizing accountability for and user verification. Roman represented the at the Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians in in March 2025, engaging on international policy and parliamentary roles for women. She advocated for the Cagandahan Bill, which sought protections for individuals, including legal recognition of sex characteristics and anti-discrimination measures, but it did not advance before the term concluded. In March 2025, she urged the House to prioritize amendments to the Family Code's pro-men provisions, highlighting inequities in property and inheritance during marital disputes. Opting not to seek re-election in the May 2025 polls, where Atty. Antonino Roman III was proclaimed winner for Bataan's 1st District, Roman bid farewell to in June 2025, citing a desire for new opportunities after nearly a decade in the . In December 2024, she expressed openness to executive appointments in the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or (DAR) under the Marcos administration, leveraging her legislative experience in and issues. As of October 2025, no such appointment has materialized, leaving her future prospects tied to potential advisory roles or private sector engagements in advocacy and media, fields where she has prior expertise.

References

  1. https://www.kfaw.or.jp/correspondents/docs/27_1_Philippines_E.pdf
  2. https://www.rappler.com/people/p11434754-geraldine-roman/
  3. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36253666
  4. https://www.abs-cbn.com/focus/07/06/16/geraldine-roman-transgender-and-breaking-barriers
  5. https://www.facebook.com/transwomenclub/posts/geraldine-b-roman-is-a-filipina-politician-and-journalist-who-made-history-as-th/1162192169283844/
  6. https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/10/asia/philippines-transgender-geraldine-roman
  7. https://mashable.com/article/geraldine-roman-anti-discrimination-speech
  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZKD-qtvqPM
  9. https://www.newwaysministry.org/2016/06/02/church-a-source-of-consolation-says-philippines-first-transgender-politician/
  10. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/823323/transgender-house-transformer
  11. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/cong-geraldine-romanpptx/257978741
  12. https://worldcrunch.com/world-affairs/meet-the-first-transgender-legislator-in-the-philippines/
  13. https://www.geni.com/people/Geraldine-Roman/6000000175710342906
  14. https://peoplaid.com/2019/11/16/geraldine-roman/
  15. https://asiasociety.org/philippines/1st-transgender-politician-philippines-delivers-keynote-asia-societys-diversity-leadersh
  16. https://asiasociety.org/blog/asia/interview-first-transgender-woman-philippines-congress-beginning-change-her-country
  17. https://www.esquiremag.ph/politics/geraldine-roman-a1521-20170215-lfrm3
  18. https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2016/05/13/1582909/the-fabulous-geraldine-roman
  19. https://peopleasia.ph/geraldine-romans-romantik-voice-in-congress/
  20. https://www.wsj.com/articles/philippines-elects-its-first-transgender-congresswoman-1462963713
  21. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/11/transgender-politician-philippines-parliament-geraldine-roman
  22. https://www.voanews.com/a/philippines-elects-first-tansgender-politician/3325706.html
  23. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/196068-transgender-lawmaker-geraldine-roman-reserve-force/
  24. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/968834/geraldine-roman-military-armed-forces-of-the-philippines-reservist-officer-transgender-lgbt
  25. https://www.france24.com/en/20180215-first-transgender-officer-joins-philippine-army-reserves
  26. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/599691/transgender-solon-roman-wants-to-join-afp-as-reserve-officer/story/
  27. https://interaksyon.philstar.com/breaking-news/2018/02/16/120158/service-knows-no-gender-rep-geraldine-roman-is-first-transgender-military-officer/
  28. https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/07/06/16/geraldine-roman-transgender-and-breaking-barriers
  29. https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/17/asia/geraldine-roman-transgender-philippines-interview
  30. https://www.worldcrunch.com/world-affairs/meet-the-first-transgender-legislator-in-the-philippines/
  31. https://www.geni.com/people/Antonino-Roman-Jr/6000000175711645835
  32. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=867212520150424&id=555503991321280&set=a.556930741178605
  33. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/philippines-transgender-politician-celebrates-historic-win-1404839
  34. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/05/10/477481655/philippines-elects-first-transgender-member-of-congress
  35. https://time.com/4326576/philippines-transgender-congresswoman-geraldine-roman/
  36. https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/05/12/22/geraldine-roman-wins-uncontested-as-bataan-rep
  37. https://www.facebook.com/100086002882313/posts/look-atty-antonino-tony-roman-iii-has-been-proclaimed-as-the-new-representative-/653218014221622/
  38. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/784888/ph-transgender-politician-celebrates-historic-win
  39. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/132502-transgender-politician-makes-history-wins-house-seat/
  40. https://www.asiasociety.org/philippines/1st-transgender-politician-philippines-delivers-keynote-asia-societys-diversity-leadersh
  41. https://econgress.gov.ph/house-members/?id=233&views=authoredbills
  42. https://www.congress.gov.ph/media/press-releases/view/?content=7499&title=Bill%2Bto%2Bfight%2Bdiscrimination%2Bbased%2Bon%2BSOGIE%2Bpushed%2Banew
  43. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/146686-emotional-roman-urges-congress-pass-anti-discrimination-bill/
  44. https://www.congress.gov.ph/house-members/view/?member=K042&page=
  45. https://ldr.senate.gov.ph/congress-author/roman-geraldine-b
  46. https://docs.congress.hrep.online/legisdocs/basic_19/HB09555.pdf
  47. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/house-wants-senate-focus-amending-economic-provisions-constitution/
  48. https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/14/pro-cha-cha-solons-give-more-weight-to-investors-feedback-than-carpio-s-remarks
  49. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/896589/house-leaders-to-senators-make-a-stand-for-or-against-economic-cha-cha-now/story/
  50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RW-IFf9-DuA
  51. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1913751/political-amendments-in-charter-thats-political-suicide-says-roman
  52. https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/4/roman-it-s-political-suicide-to-push-for-political-cha-cha
  53. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1900322/rep-roman-to-senate-only-you-can-defend-the-constitution
  54. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/148189-roman-sky-not-fall-same-sex-civil-union-bill-passed/
  55. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/821825/its-civil-union-not-marriage
  56. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/06/30/1598076/transgender-lawmaker-push-divorce-legalization
  57. https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/09/20/philippines-transgender-lawmaker-urges-protection-lgbt-rights
  58. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1154436/roman-hits-senators-who-gave-irrelevant-views-over-lgbt-issues
  59. https://manilastandard.net/?p=314318608
  60. https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/30/cong-roman-takes-up-cudgels-for-argi-workers-cites-pending-bill
  61. https://politiko.com.ph/2023/03/30/geraldine-roman-bats-for-magna-carta-for-agricultural-workers/politiko-lokal/
  62. https://docs.congress.hrep.online/legisdocs/basic_19/HB03491.pdf
  63. https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/06/09/news/regions/bataan-lawmaker-pushes-bill-to-hike-farmers-low-income/730347
  64. https://ldr.senate.gov.ph/bills/house-bill-no-7176-19th-congress
  65. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/cong-geraldine-romanpptx-260946229/260946229
  66. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/878802/transgender-solon-roman-on-death-penalty-vote-politics-is-compromise
  67. https://www.philstar.com/nation/2017/03/08/1677720/geraldine-roman-cites-politics-backing-death-penalty-primary-tabs
  68. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/163630-surprise-death-penalty-votes-congressmen/
  69. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/society/article/2090744/transgender-politician-fighting-gay-rights-philippines
  70. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp2PNknFrZg
  71. https://opinion.inquirer.net/102335/politics-as-compromise
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  73. https://www.pgaction.org/adp/phl.html
  74. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1733531/fwd-roman-draws-line-on-what-sogie-bill-is-and-is-not
  75. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/762751/geraldine-roman-slams-sogie-bill-critic-who-asked-if-pedophilia-necrophilia-part-of-lgbtq/story/
  76. https://mb.com.ph/2023/03/07/rep-roman-stresses-sogie-bill-does-not-promote-same-sex-marriage/
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  78. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1003631/roman-to-lgbt-community-be-realistic-on-same-sex-marriage
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  81. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qodcb5t1jMM
  82. https://thefilam.net/archives/21415
  83. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2011568/roman-says-sorry-for-silence-vs-past-admin-i-had-to-protect-my-district
  84. https://www.facebook.com/iMPACTLeadershipPH/posts/roman-apologizes-for-silence-during-duterte-administration-vows-to-amend-safe-sp/955682583328669/
  85. https://politiko.com.ph/2024/12/06/de-lima-to-roman-i-was-hurt-but-i-forgive-you/snitch-network/
  86. https://abogado.com.ph/de-lima-accepts-geraldine-romans-apology-urges-women-not-to-be-silenced-by-a-madman/
  87. https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/geraldine-roman-response-mocha-uson-cookie-campaign-jingle-objectifies-women/
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  89. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1247803
  90. https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/7/wag-ganyan-sis-roman-speaks-out-against-cookie-ni-mocha-campaign-jingle
  91. https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/108752/transgender-congresswoman-named-inspiring-woman-of-2016-by-time
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  93. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/08/21/1615728/peopleasia-bares-women-style-substance-16
  94. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1025323
  95. https://www.facebook.com/BEEmbassyManila/videos/the-pathbreakers-podcast-episode-5-geraldine-roman-committee-chair-on-women-and-/2256337291488458/
  96. http://lgbtiqlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/House-Substitute-Bill-SOGIESC-19TH-CONGRESS-CWGE-23-MAY-2023.pdf
  97. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/05/19/bataan-rep-roman-to-file-bill-regulating-social-media-and-combating-disinformation/
  98. https://bataan.gov.ph/news/rep-roman-represents-ph-at-global-womens-conference/
  99. https://rollingstonephilippines.com/state-of-affairs/power/intersex-cagandahan-bill-congress/
  100. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2040014/roman-hopes-house-will-ok-changes-to-pro-men-family-code-provisions
  101. https://www.facebook.com/bncphl/videos/watch-outgoing-bataan-representative-geraldine-roman-bids-farewell-to-congress-w/1690863981549777/
  102. https://www.facebook.com/happiestpinoy/posts/we-are-thrilled-to-share-that-former-congresswoman-geraldine-roman-is-one-of-our/1223085423196258/
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