Philippines divorce: 53% for, 32% against

MANILA, Philippines — One in two Filipinos is in favor of legalizing divorce in the country, recent surveys by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed. 

Fifty-three percent of adult Filipinos agreed that married couples who have already separated and can no longer reconcile should be allowed to divorce so they can legally get married again. 

Almost a third or 32 percent, however, disagreed with the statement.

This resulted in a net agreement score +21, classified by the SWS as “moderately strong.”

Fifteen percent of respondents were undecided.

The surveys were conducted from March 25 to 28, 2017 and Dec. 8 to 16, 2017. Both surveys used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults, 18 years old and above, nationwide.

Support for a divorce law was highest in Metro Manila, with a net agreement of +35, classified as “very strong.” It was followed by balance Luzon at +23 (moderately strong), Mindanao at +15, and the Visayas at +14.

In Metro Manila, 61 percent agreed and 26 percent disagreed with the proposed measure.

In balance Luzon, 55 percent agreed and 31 percent disagreed.

Forty-nine percent of respondents from the Visayas agreed with the legalization of divorce while 35 percent disagreed.

In Mindanao, 49 percent agreed and 34 percent disagreed with a divorce law.

By class, 43 percent among class ABC agreed with it while 38 percent disagreed for a net agreement score of +5, classified as neutral.

Among class D, 54 percent agreed and 31 percent disagreed with the proposed legislation, resulting in a net agreement of moderately strong +23.

It was also a moderately strong +14 among class E, with 49 percent favoring its passage against 35 percent who said otherwise.

The legalization of divorce obtained a “very strong” support when it was last surveyed in 2014, the SWS noted.

Support for a divorce law was “very strong” among women with live-in partners, men with live-in partners and widowed/separated men.

Among men who have never married, net agreement was a moderately strong +21 (54 percent agree, 32 percent disagree).

Among women who have never married, it was a moderately strong +24 (55 percent agree, 31 percent disagree).

It was a very strong +33 (60 percent agree, 27 percent disagree) among men who are widowed/separated.

Among women who are widowed/separated, it was a moderately strong +24 (56 percent agree, 33 percent disagree).

Among married men, it was a moderately strong +19 (50 percent agree, 32 percent disagree).