STUDENTS of Bicol University won in the first Inter-School Debate Competition on SOGIE Equality Bill held in coordination with the Commission on Human Rights.

The university was represented by James Oren Licup, Sydney Joseph Torrenueva, and Alfren Anthony Yango.

They won a cash prize of P15,000.

They battled students from the University of Nueva Caceres — Krislen Gaile Bismonte, Neil Andrew Formalejo, and Cyen Escalanda.

Torrenueva was declared the best speaker of the competition.

“This house believes that the Philippine LGBTQIA+ community should establish a single issue political party to secure the passage of the SOGIE Law as opposed to lobbying through Philippine mainstream parties,” was the topic of the debate.

The Commission on Human Rights in Region V signed an agreement with the two schools to hold the debate on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

“Annually, we celebrate this day to make known the alarming situation faced by people with diverse SOGIE. We must do away with the culture of homophobia and transphobia. In this modern time, there are still people who reject the idea that the LGBTQIA+ have the same right as we have,” CHR Director Atty. Arlene Alangco said.