House Oks divorce bill; President Duterte opposed

MANILA, Philippines — Despite President Duterte’s pro-marriage stance, the House of Representatives voted 134-57 yesterday to pass on third and final reading the proposed divorce bill.

Two lawmakers abstained from voting in the approval of House Bill 7303, or “An Act Instituting Absolute Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage in the Philippines,” which Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez co-authored.

Rep. Edcel Lagman, one of the authors, noted that “there is no provision in the 1987 Constitution which prohibits divorce,” adding that “unfortunately, what God has put together, couples in irremediably dysfunctional marriages put asunder because of human frailty and mortal limitations.”

Main authors House Deputy Speaker Pia Cayetano, Lagman and Rep. Emmi de Jesus of women’s group Gabriela each moved to push for the measure’s approval, which is being blocked by pro-life Reps. Lito Atienza and Raul del Mar of Cebu.

Duterte is against the legalization of divorce in the country because it would be disadvantageous to children and abandoned spouses, Malacañang said yesterday.

“He did not want to comment on it but since the House members have cast their votes, the President is against divorce,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said in a press conference in Camarines Sur.

“He said it would be disadvantageous to the children and if there is divorce, the abandoned spouses would lose the right to file cases against their spouses after they get divorced,” Roque added.

Duterte’s position was a departure from that of some of his staunch allies in Congress, who believe that divorce would save couples trapped in unsuccessful and traumatic marriages.

During the campaign for the 2016 presidential race, Duterte, whose first marriage was annulled, said he was against divorce “for the sake of the children.”

Atienza, senior deputy minority leader, welcomed the President’s stand against the passage of the divorce law.

“We appreciate President Duterte’s stand against the divorce law. He saved the Filipino family with his position against divorce, which has been passed on second reading in the House. We agree with the President that divorce would be detrimental to mothers and their children,” Atienza said.

Atienza had opposed House Bill 7303 or the proposed divorce law during plenary deliberations.

“We admire the President’s display of strength and character. He did not allow himself to be stampeded by the mob on this critical issue. His strong leadership will be remembered for saving the Filipino family and future generations,” he said.

“I am sure that with his position against divorce, this bill will most likely be relegated to the archives,” Atienza added. -  Alexis Romero