The Supreme Court on Monday denied with finality a motion for reconsideration filed by Jesus Falcis and other LGBT advocates seeking recognition of same-sex marriage in the Philippines. The SC had junked Falcis’ petition in September last year, citing lack of legal standing, failure to raise an actual justiciable issue and violation of the doctrine of hierarchy of courts. Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, who penned the decision, said the plain text of the Constitution does not define or restrict marriage on the basis of sex, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, based on excerpts quoted in a SC media briefer. He also said the Court recognized the history of discrimination and marginalization faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, queer, intersex, and other gender and sexual minorities (LGBTQI+) and their struggle for equality but said official recognition of their partnerships should be addressed to Congress.