Hontiveros: Divorce shouldn't be traumatizing financially, psychologically, socially

Senator Risa Hontiveros once again called for the passage of Senate Bill No. 147 or the Dissolution of Marriage Act, especially for the sake of women who are victims of abuse and violence.

“Sabi nga ng iba, 'Isang papel na lang ang naguugnay sa kanila.' Bakit pa ipagkakait sa kanila ang kalayaan at hayaang makulong sa isang relasyon na mapanakit, walang pagmamahalan at pagpapahalaga para sa isa’t-isa,” said Hontiveros as she chaired the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality during a Tuesday hearing.

(Others have said, "A piece of paper is the only thing keeping them together." Why deny them their freedom and let them remain trapped in a relationship that is painful, loveless, and uncaring?)

Hontiveros noted that according to a National Demographic and Health Survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority, one in every four married Filipino women has suffered abuse at the hands of their husbands, while some Filipino women have almost been killed by their husbands.

“But most of them cannot leave their own marriages because of the prohibiting cost for filling an annulment. Umaabot minsan sa lagpas kalahating milyon ang kailangang bayaran,” the senator noted.

(It sometimes costs over half a million.)

The senator mentioned the Philippines was the only country that did not have divorce aside from the Vatican. But this was not something we should be proud of.

"This only shows how left behind we are in addressing the needs and recognizing the lived experiences of our people. 2023 na, wala pa ring divorce. It’s time to change this," she said.

(It's 2023, and there is still no divorce.)

"Let us give Filipino families the chance, a way out that is straightforward, no fault. Once you realize you made a mistake, the way out shouldn't be traumatizing to the average married Filipinos, financially, psychologically, and socially," she said.

"We all deserve a second chance in love and in life," she added.

Senators Raffy Tulfo and Robinhood Padla also expressed their support for the bill, stating that a divorce bill is an act of social justice that would give people a fresh start from a miserable marriage.

"The quality of family life for spouses who are already in an unhealthy marital relationship is not what was envisioned by the State as something that needs protecting," he said.

"I join my colleagues in the Senate who have passed a similar bill and hope that we harmonize all the best provisions in order to give Filipino families a chance to save themselves from endless suffering," he added.

Senator Hontiveros said that the bill would be finalized as the Department of Justice (DOJ) will confirm if the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will join the technical working group to formally pass the legislation.

He suggested that the committee invite anti-divorce groups and Catholic groups who oppose the divorce bill to the upcoming hearings to have a healthy discussion in the Senate.

"Ito pong diborsyo ay proteksyon sa ating mga kababaihan para naman alam natin na ang kanilang karapatan, ay pangalaagaan natin. Hindi po ito paghihiwa sa kasal," said Padilla.

(Divorce is a protection for women that lets us know that their rights are secure. This is not about splitting marriages.)

Hontiveros said the bill would be consolidated into a substitute measure by a technical working group, to "free Filipinos from abusive spouses and hold the best interest of the child." — DVM, GMA Integrated News