The Akbayan Partylist is making a case for gender rights with its newly filed bill. What’s even cooler? It’s named after one of the most delightful Filipino memes we’ve seen this year so far.
Remember the hilarious talking orange that took our timelines by storm for wanting to change its name to “Sharmaine?” The skit’s great wit and virality, courtesy of Filipino content creator BAET, inspired the purposeful notions of House Bill No. 9929—formally known as the Lived Identities Recognition Act (LIRA).
Photo: Tong Su (Unsplash), Atty. Chel Diokno (Instagram)
On June 23, 2026, Akbayan Partylist representatives Perci Cendaña, Dadah Kiram Ismula, and Atty. Chel Diokno, along with Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, filed the LIRA, which would soon be dubbed the “Sharmaine Bill,” in support of transgender, intersex, and non-binary Filipinos. The House Bill primarily aims to give these communities better access to legal gender recognition, in light of the country’s decades-long fight for sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) equality, as well as LGBTQIA+ rights at work and in education.
How exactly did this widely loved skit go from an internet meme to an empowering platform for queer Filipinos? Here’s what we know so far about the “Sharmaine Bill” and its progress:
Championing Pride and Purpose
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At the height of Pride Month and its festivities, the Akbayan Partylist and its fellow lawmakers discussed the LIRA’s long-term goals, prioritizing the LGBTQIA+ community and how they express themselves.
The “Sharmaine Bill” proposes a proper administrative process that allows qualified individuals to update their gender markers and legal names on government documents without any hindrances. Moreover, the LIRA aims to recognize Filipinos’ lived identities through their gender orientation and sexuality without putting their privacy at risk.
A House Bill Founded On Freedom
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Freedom is one of the “Sharmaine Bill’s” well-established foundations. It emphasizes queer Filipinos’ rights to live their truths as their fully realized selves, and encourages the community at large to do the same.
In a world where prejudice and injustice persist, we’ve yet to find out when we’ll truly be free to live and love wholeheartedly. The SOGIE Bill’s final approval is still pending, and recent headlines have highlighted harmful acts of transphobia (within the community, no less). But as the “Sharmaine Bill” slowly gains prominence, we’re holding on to the hope that it’ll amplify our advocacies and ultimately put a stop to the deep-seated disdain that has surrounded LGBTQIA+ individuals throughout history.
After all, Diokno said it best: “Ang pride natin ay ang pride ng buong Pilipinas.” As the “Sharmaine Bill” awaits further deliberations in the government, let it inspire us to keep fighting the good fight for respect, equality, inclusivity, and visibility towards spaces that love and accept us unconditionally.
If a talking orange can do it, what’s stopping us from striving for the same lasting outcomes?
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What do you think of the “Sharmaine Bill” so far? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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