Bill reinstating divorce now brought to House plenary

Bill reinstating divorce now brought to House plenary

MANILA, Philippines — A bill that seeks to reinstate divorce was brought to the House plenary for consideration and debate during Tuesday’s session.

House Bill (HB) No. 9349 or the Absolute Divorce Act, as contained in Committee Report No. 962, was sponsored by different lawmakers — including staunch divorce advocate Albay 2nd District Rep. Edcel Lagman, Cebu 3rd District Rep. Pablo John Garcia, Negros Occidental 4th District Rep. Juliet Ferrer, and Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas.

According to Garcia, the Philippines remains the only country in the world which does not have divorce as a way for dissolving failed marriages — save for the Vatican, a small city-state which is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church that advocates against divorce.

“As we all know and are frequently reminded, the Philippines remains the only country in the world that has not legalized divorce aside from Vatican City.  And yet unlike Vatican City, which is a small city-state consisting of 800 individuals — mostly religious and unmarried, the Philippines is not exempt from the crisis of failed, unhappy marriages,” he said.

Lagman meanwhile assured people who are against divorce that this method is a mere option — meaning it will not be the only way to dissolve marriages because of the presence of annulment.  However, Lagman stressed that divorce allows a second chance in love, as divorced couples can remarry again.

“Divorce is only an option. Qualified spouses may or may not petition for divorce, or they may avail of dissolution of marriage based on psychological incapacity under Article 36 of the Family Code, annulment of marriage under Article 45 of the Family Code, or legal separation under Article 55 of the Family Code,” Lagman said.

“A divorce decree entitles the parties the right to remarry and have another chance at

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