A public hearing was held by the Senate of the Philippines's Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros, on 19 September for the controversial Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics Equality Bill.

Hontiveros promised the LGBTQ+ community that the bill is one of her priorities in the 19thCongress.

The long-time LGBTQ+ ally and one of the champions and authors of the bill delivered her opening statement during the public hearing, informing attendees that the bill has been introduced in the senate six years ago after 17 years in congress, and "since then, harassment, discrimination, and violence continue to be part of their everyday life of LGBTQIA+ Filipinos."

She implored the people to not allow such situations, adding that "[w]hile many claim that the Philippines is a country welcoming of the LGBTQ+, news are rife of abuses and discrimination against them."

Hontiveros also said that the cases are just the ones that made the news. "You can just imagine how many cases remain unaccounted for, and in many instances remain hidden and unspoken" she added.

"We are acutely aware of the persistent mocking and name-calling, which are often falsely considered harmless. We have heard of gender-based school and workplace discrimination," she said, citing several cases such as that of a student being prevented from attending their graduation ceremony because of alleged "cross-dressing," and of those who were not accepted or not promoted because of their gender identity and expression.

"Kailangan nating maintindihan at tanggapin na sentro sa usaping ito ay ang isyu ng diskriminasyon. Malalim na nakaugat na diskriminasyon (We need to understand and accept that the issue of discrimination is at heart of this discourse. Discrimination that is deeply-rooted). You and I know that we have to make this stop. We, as a society have to make things right," Hontiveros averred.

"Let us make sure that they are able to stake their claim as equal members of society," she concluded.

The SOGIESCC Equality Bill has been in interpolation for 23 years now since the first version was introduced, and Hontiveros expressed hope that it will be passed soon.