A PANEL of civic leaders is urging Congress to prioritize the long-gestating bill on divorce to allow Filipino women to have a “second chance” on love and empower them to break free from abusive relationships.
This comes as both houses of Congress continue to debate divorce measures, and with House Bill 9349, authored by Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman, being discussed in the House plenary last week.
The Philippines, along with Vatican City, is the only nation-state in the world without a divorce law. This unique position has left many Filipino women trapped in loveless and abusive marriages, without the legal means to escape.
During a broadcast of “World Questions: Philippines” by the British Broadcasting Corp.’s World Service Radio on Saturday, Akbayan Citizens Action Party President Rafaela David aired her firm belief in the importance of women who have survived and experienced “loveless and abusive” marriages to pressure lawmakers to pass the bill.
“We believe that this option should be available to the Filipino people; we believe that there should be a chance for a second love and with all due respect to the religious community, what destroys the family is an abusive relationship that we Filipinos should get out from,” David said.
Former Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio also noted that there were several attempts in the past to legislate divorce despite Muslims having allowed themselves to have their own divorce, which he calls as an “anomaly.”
“We had a divorce law in the past during the American and Japanese regime, so it is something in our legal system before, but we need to pass this already,” Carpio said.
Political analyst and writer Richard Heydarian believes that over the past decade, the country is now moving more secularly than before, noting the passage of the Reproductive Health Law in 2013, which was opposed by the Catholic Church.
“We saw a lot of pushback by more conservative elements in the Catholic hierarchy against a whole range of issues,” Heydarian said.
He also said that as Pope Francis is moving toward a more liberal direction in his leadership of the Catholic Church, then the country is now ready to move in the same liberal direction where laws such as divorce may be passed.
“But it also depends on bottom-up pressure, we cannot just rely on the politicians for the right position,” Heydarian said.
Ateneo de Manila University-John Gokongwei School of Management dean Roberto Galang, the only one in the panel who is against divorce, believes that the divorce law may have a hard time hurdling Congress because some politicians do not see the urgency to pass one, and that more Filipinos are now getting born out of wedlock.
“Filipinos are not getting married because I don’t need a divorce because I wasn’t even married in the first place,” Galang said.
The absence of a divorce law in the Philippines has significant implications for Filipino women trapped in abusive relationships. Without the legal means to dissolve their marriages, they are left with limited options for escape and recovery.
The panel of civic leaders is advocating for the passage of the divorce bill, emphasizing the importance of providing Filipino women with a “second chance” at love and empowering them to break free from abusive relationships. They argue that the availability of divorce is crucial in protecting the well-being of individuals and families, as it allows for the dissolution of unions that are harmful and destructive.
While the Philippines remains one of the few nations without a divorce law, there have been previous instances in history where divorce was legally recognized. Former Supreme Court associate justice Antonio Carpio highlights this historical context, pointing out that divorce was present during the American and Japanese regimes. He asserts that it is time for the Philippines to reintroduce divorce into its legal system.
Political analyst Richard Heydarian notes that the country has been moving towards a more secular society, evidenced by the passage of the Reproductive Health Law in 2013, despite opposition from the Catholic Church. Heydarian suggests that as Pope Francis leads the Catholic Church in a more liberal direction, the Philippines may be ready to follow suit and pass laws such as divorce. However, he emphasizes the importance of bottom-up pressure and the active involvement of the Filipino people in advocating for progressive legislation.
On the other hand, Ateneo de Manila University-John Gokongwei School of Management dean Roberto Galang expresses his opposition to the divorce law. He suggests that some politicians may not prioritize the passage of the bill, as they do not see the urgency to do so. Galang also points out the changing dynamics of relationships in the Philippines, with more Filipinos choosing not to marry and having children out of wedlock.
In conclusion, the urgent need for a divorce law in the Philippines cannot be overstated. Filipino women deserve the opportunity to escape abusive relationships and find happiness in a second chance at love. The panel of civic leaders, along with voices from within the legal and political spheres, are advocating for the passage of the divorce bill. It is a critical step towards empowering individuals and families, and ensuring the well-being of Filipino citizens. The time has come for the Philippines to join the rest of the world in recognizing divorce as a necessary legal option for those in untenable marriages.
Source: The Manila Times
