MANILA - The House of Representatives is holding an online poll on same-sex unions as a form of civil partnership in the country.

The survey, which is posted on the House's official website, asks respondents whether they are in favor, against or undecided on whether it was time to legalize same-sex unions as civil partnership.

As of writing, a total of 164,405 respondents took the survey.

Of this number, 48 percent of respondents, or 79,402, voted in favor of giving same-sex couples the same civil rights as other couples.

On the other hand, 51 percent of respondents, or 84,088 voted against the measure.

One percent of respondents, or 915, said they are undecided on the issue.

In the disclaimer part, it is said the poll does not reflect the opinions or views of the House of Representatives, including its members and employees.

The poll is also held to "forment (sic) public discussion in aid of potential legislation."

In 2016, then House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, a key ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, said he was filing a bill to legalize same-sex marriages in the Philippines.

Two bills seeking to amend the Family Code of the Philippines were filed in the 17th Congress, namely House Bill 3951, authored by Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, and House Bill 3263, authored by Rep. Pia Cayetano.

Both bills were substituted by House Bill 5156, and is still pending at the House of Representatives.

Back in 2011, Bohol Rep. Rene Relampagos filed House Bill 4269 which, among others, sought to amend the Family Code of the Philippines to recognize same-sex marriages overseas.

Malacañang previously said the President is in favor of same-sex civil union, but not same-sex marriage.

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