Hontiveros refiles divorce bill in the Senate

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday said she re-filed a bill seeking to institute divorce in the Philippines, especially for women who are victims of domestic violence and psychological abuse.

Hontiveros said she has high respect for people who choose to marry and the institution of marriage, but she also supports and sympathizes women who wanted to be free from abusive relationships.

“Karapatan nating lahat na maging masaya. I look forward to meaningful debates and passage of the divorce bill,” she said during the weekly Kapihan sa Senado.

She said her proposed measure seeks to make “psychological incapacity of either spouse,” irreconcilable marital differences,” marital rape, or being “separated for at least five years” as grounds for divorce, among others.

Hontiveros also filed a divorce bill in the Senate during the 17th Congress but it failed to make a headway although it was referred to a committee. Even President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier said he would not be in favor of a divorce bill.

"Nai-refer lang sa committee hung 17th Congress, hindi nadinig sa komite dahil sa dami ng isinusulong na panukala," Hontiveros said of her old bill. —KBK, GMA News