The leadership of the House of Representatives on Sunday downplayed possibilities for the passage of a legislative measure that would allow same-sex marriage in the Philippines.

As Congress tackles Rep. Teodoro Casiño of Bayan Muna party-list’s House Bill 1483 which pushes for the observance of equal rights for homosexual and bisexual Filipinos, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. expressed firm belief that the support on same-sex marriages thrown by United States President Barack Obama is not applicable in the country.

“We’re not ready for it, I am against it myself,” Belmonte said, adding that the marriage as defined under the Philippine Family Code is a union between a man and a woman.

Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales said that such legislative proposal would not be passed.

“I think by nature Filipinos are generally conservative. I am of the opinion that at the moment or even in the near future, it’s a no-no situation for same-sex marriage in the Philippines,” Gonzales said.

Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan of Gabriela party-list lauded Obama’s position and said that “Obama is responding to a pressing demand of his constituents.”

“[Obama] is a sensitive and independent-minded leader. [President Benigno Aquino 3rd] will not do the same. He is detached from the needs of his people. He is two-faced, saying he is pro people but bows to the pressure of the conservative Catholic Church,” Ilagan said.