House starts delibs on absolute divorce, dissolution of marriage bills

The House of Representatives on Wednesday began its deliberations on the measures seeking to introduce absolute divorce and dissolution of marriage in the Philippines.

During its meeting earlier in the day, the House Committee on Population and Family Relations moved to consolidate three bills on absolute divorce and dissolution of marriage: House Bill 100 filed by Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, House Bill 838 filed by Gabriela Woman's Party Representative Arlene Brosas, and House Bill 2263 filed by former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

A technical working group has been created to consolidate the three measures. The consolidated bill will then have to secure the final approval of the committee before it is sent to the plenary for deliberations on second reading.

In sponsoring his bill, Lagman pointed out that the divorce bill is an "apt" sequel to the Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood Law, as it allows a wife to be liberated from an abusive relationship and helps her regain dignity and self-respect.

At the same time, Lagman assured the bill will not allow for "drive-thru" or "quickie" divorces, as an absolute divorce will only be judicially decreed "after the fact of an irremediably broken marital union."

The bill will also provide a mandatory six-month cooling-off period during which the court will "exercise all effects to reunite and reconcile the parties."

"Divorce will not destroy marriages because there is no more marriage or happy union to speak of when couples reach the difficult decision to seek divorce. Verily, in proceedings for absolute divorce, there is no more marriage to protect or destroy because the union has long perished," Lagman said.

"Divorce is not a monster that will destroy marriages and wreck marital relationships. Let us clear about this—the monsters that lead to the demise of a marriage are infidelity, abuse, financial problems, lack of intimacy and communication, and inequality," he added.

During the 17th Congress, the House of Representatives approved the absolute divorce and dissolution of marriage bill on third and final reading. However, it did not get the same approval from the Senate.

If the bill is signed into law, the Philippines will join every country in the world, except Vatican City, in allowing divorce. — BM, GMA News