Women tear up at hearing as they plead for divorce

The Senate's first hearing on the divorce bill on Tuesday started on an emotional note when estranged partners shared stories of their unhappy marriage as they appealed support for the bill.

"Lasing, babae, walang trabaho na nga, kung ano-ano pa ginagawa. Yun yung lagi niya sinasabi, 'magtiis ka, magdusa ka dahil kagustuhan mo yan'," Stella Sibonga narrated.

An unhappy partnership, abuse, cheating, and threats on her life were among the reasons Sibonga cited when she decided to annul her marriage, according to a report by Ian Cruz on GMA News' 24 Oras.

Len, a wife of a cheating husband, revealed that she had faced an almost similar treatment.

An overseas workers also shared his marriage woes.

"Can anyone here tell, know how it feels to work in the middle of nowhere [and] give what you have earned to someone who is disrespecting you," Marc Anthony, a seaman, said.

According to data by the Office of the Solicitor General, there is an average of 10,000 annulment and nullity cases filed every year from 2010 to 2017.

The hearing is considered historical for being the first divorce bill to be discussed at the Senate.

Several groups, including religious organizations opposed the bill, citing it psychological impact on children.

"There have been studies that have shown harmful effects of divorce particularly on children, as children who experience the divorce of their parents are likely to suffer on their academic performance, physical, and mental health," Joel Arzaga, vice president of the Alliance for Family Foundation, said.

Advocates of the divorce bill also showed up at the hearing.

"Divorce can have a positive impact on happiness. It is true that divorce can make you less happy but this is temporary. Research shows that in the long term you become happier and overall psychologically healthier after the divorce," The Feminist Collective chairperson Kana Kahashi said.

Senator Risa Hontivers, chirperson of the women, children, family relations and gender equality committee, said she was hopeful the bill will hurdle the Senate. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News