MANILA - House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is proposing a bill to legalize 'civil unions,' which he said will benefit same sex couples and heterosexual couples who want to live together but are having second thoughts about marrying.

Alvarez will file a bill that will define the rights of couples who want to live together, but are not yet ready to get married.

“Ganito tatalakayin din natin yan yung mga taong ayaw magpakasal pero gustong magsama. Sa ngayon kasi walang batas. 'Di natin napoprotekatahan yung karapatan ng couple. Magpapasa tayo ng civil union na batas kung saan yun ang mag-go-govern ng relationship nila," said Alvarez.

He said the bill will govern property rights, custodial rights over children and even adoption rights for childless couples.

“Kahit 'di sila kasal, ano yun, right to inherit, right to support at iba pa," he said.

Alvarez said same-sex couples will also be allowed to adopt a child under his proposed bill.

"Yes tama yan pwede sila mag adopt nung mga halimbawa same sex 'di pwede mag anak yan, pwede sila mag adopt.”

Alvarez also said that these civil unions can also be dissolved under his proposal.