Lawmaker laments Aquino's 'careless dismissal' of divorce bill

A congresswoman advocating for divorce expressed her dismay over President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III's "careless dismissal" of the divorce bill. Gabriela partylist Rep. Luz Ilagan on Friday asked Aquino to study first the bill they filed because it is different from the so-called Las Vegas model or the "quickie divorce." Las Vegas, which has gained notoriety for its "quickie weddings," has now also gained renown for its "quickie divorces," where married persons can become divorced in a matter of weeks. “We are disappointed. If he has read and studied the bill, he will not compare it to a Las Vegas divorce model," Ilagan said in a press statement. President Aquino earlier said “divorce is a no-no" but that legally separated couples should be allowed to remarry. "I cannot support something like they do in Las Vegas. The stereotype is you get married in the morning [and] you get divorced in the afternoon," the President said. She said House Bill (HB) 1799 or “An Act Introducing Divorce in the Philippines" is different from the Las Vegas model. “HB 1799 was carefully crafted to take into consideration Philippine values and traditions that give utmost importance to the way Filipinos appreciate the family as an institution. It will not allow couples to get married today and get divorced tomorrow. HB 1799 is divorce, Pinoy Style," Ilagan pointed out. Ilagan explained that the Philippine family code provides that legal separation will not result to the dissolution of a marriage. Marrying after being legally separated will thus be tantamount to bigamy and adultery. She further said HB 1799 lists down five grounds for the filing of a petition for divorce: (1) the petitioner has been separated de facto (in fact) from his or her spouse for at least five years at the time of the filing of the petition and reconciliation is highly improbable; (2) the petitioner has been legally separated from his or her spouse for at least two years at the time of the filing of the petition and reconciliation is highly improbable; (3) When the spouses suffer from irreconcilable differences that have caused the irreparable breakdown of the marriage; (4) When one or both spouses are psychologically incapacitated to comply with the essential marital obligations; and (5) Any of the grounds for legal separation that has caused the irreparable breakdown of the marriage. Ilagan said HB 1799 presents divorce as an option for that couples with failed and irreparable marriages can resort to, aside from annulment and legal separation. She added that “a divorce will not be granted to any couple or individual who capriciously thinks about getting one." –VVP, GMANews.TV