Pamilya Ko Partylist: Voice in Congress of Non-Traditional Families

A  new party-list group is pushing for greater recognition of non-traditional Filipino families. Pamilya Ko Party-list, led by Atty. Aeneas Eli Diaz, aims to advocate for laws that provide equal rights and protection for various types of Filipino families—particularly those often overlooked in existing policies.

To represent the families they support, Pamilya Ko Party-list introduced the acronym LOVABLES, which stands for:

• L – Live-in partners

• O – OFW families

• V – Victims of domestic violence

• A – Adoptive and orphaned families

• B – Blended families

• L – LGBTQIA+ couples

• E – Elderly care providers

• S – Solo/Single parents •

According to Diaz, these families face various challenges, from inheritance and property disputes to the right to make medical decisions for their partners or loved ones.

However, under existing laws, many of them lack legal protection. One of Pamilya Ko’s key legislative proposals is the Domestic Partnership Law, which seeks to grant legal recognition to live-in partnerships, including LGBTQIA+ couples.

Under this law, couples would have rights to inheritance, shared property management, and medical decision-making—rights that are often denied to them due to the absence of a formal marriage. While Diaz acknowledges that this measure may face strong opposition in a conservative society, Pamilya Ko Party-list believes it is a crucial step toward a more inclusive future.

Beyond domestic partnerships, the group is also pushing for the better implementation and increased funding for the Solo Parents Welfare Act. Many solo parents struggle to access benefits due to budget constraints, so the party-list aims to secure national funding allocations to address this issue.

Originally a non-government foundation, Pamilya Ko has long been supporting non-traditional families. Now, the group seeks to strengthen its advocacy by securing a seat in Congress.

They continue to visit communities to spread their message, determined to make a difference despite lacking the vast political machinery of older parties. “This fight is not just for us—it is for every Filipino family that deserves to be heard,” Diaz said