Pacquiao won’t push for divorce

Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday said he is against legislation pushing for divorce, saying that it is not allowed in the Bible.

However, Pacquiao said if he wins the presidency in Eleksyon 2022, he will not prohibit lawmakers from passing a divorce bill.

“Against ako sa divorce kasi pinag-isa kayo ng Panginoon. Sabi nga sa Bible what has God joined together, let man not separate. Sacred kasi yang pag-aasawa," said Pacquiao during a mini press conference at Tagum City Hall in Davao del Norte.

(I am against divorce because God unified couples. The Bible said what has  God joined together, let man not separate. Marriage is sacred.)

"Kaya nga may counseling muna bago ka mag-asawa dahil papasok kayo sa isang lifetime commitment. Hindi ito pag gusto mo lang okay, pag hindi [ayaw na]. Ang pag-aasawa ay desisyon yan para may partner ka sa buhay habang ikaw ay nabubuhay,” he added.

(That is why we have counseling before marriage because two people will be in a lifetime commitment. It isn't something that you should want occasionally. Marriage is a decision wherein you will have a lifetime partner.)

In August, the House Committee on Population and Family Relations approved the bill seeking to introduce absolute divorce in the country. 

In 2019, several women suffering from abusive partnerships turned emotional during a Senate hearing on the matter.

Data from Office of the Solicitor General showed that there is an average of 10,000 annulment and nullity cases filed every year from 2010 to 2017. — BM, GMA News