abs-cbnNEWS.com | 12/09/2009 12:24 AM MANILA, Philippines - Gay party list group Ang Ladlad has seemingly found an ally in the Church. Father Melvin Castro of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said in a statement on Monday that homosexulity "does not equate with immorality", contrary to a Commission on Elections (Comelec) decision saying that gays are immoral. And Ladlad claims to represent gays, lesbians, and transgender communities in the Philippines. The Comelec refused to accredit the Ang Ladlad as a party list since the group reportedly promotes immorality and gays are threats to the youth. Castro's seeming defense of gays ends there, however, since he opposed same-sex marriage in a statement dated December 7. He added that the Church's stance against same-sex marriage is not "a hate position" or "anti-gay." "The Church is only trying to defend marriage as an exclusive union between a man and a woman. Same-sex...