MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – While debate rages in the United States over anti-transgender legislation such as those recently passed in North Carolina and Mississippi, the Congress of the Philippines has begun the construction of a gender-neutral bathroom (called “comfort room” in the Philippines).

The move is to accommodate Geraldine Roman who is expected to win in Monday’s elections to be the first transgender lawmaker in the country.

Only one other country — Poland — has elected a transgender woman as member of Parliament. Her name is Anna Grodzka and she plans to run for president some day.

Roman comes from a family of politcians. Her mother is currently her hometown district’s (Orani, Bataan) congressional representative but the older Roman is termed out.

While the “macho” congressmen and the Catholic Church in the Philippines may not exactly be welcoming of Roman, they have to respect the will of the people.

It wasn’t clear whether Roman would be allowed to personally decorate the new congressional bathroom.

Her election would be a big boost to the country’s LGBT community.  She has campaigned on a platform of anti-discrimination.