The majority of Filipinos continue to oppose the passage of a law that would legalize divorce in the country, according to a recent survey conducted by OCTA Research.
The Tugon ng Masa third-quarter survey revealed that 51 percent of adult Filipinos surveyed were not in favor of passing a law that would legalize divorce, while 41 percent were in favor. Nine percent remained undecided.
When broken down by region, Mindanao had the highest percentage of adult Filipinos in favor of passing a law that would legalize divorce at 48 percent, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) at 46 percent. The Visayas had the lowest percentage at 33 percent.
Interestingly, the Visayas had the highest number of respondents who were not in favor of divorce at 59 percent, while the NCR had the lowest at 39 percent. The NCR also had a higher number of respondents who were undecided about passing a bill against divorce, at 15 percent.
When further analyzed by region, Northern Mindanao had the highest percentage of respondents in support of divorce at 78 percent, while Cagayan Valley had the highest number who were not in favor of divorce at 96 percent.
The survey also revealed that younger Filipinos, specifically those between the ages of 18 to 24, were the most supportive of the passage of a divorce law at 54 percent. Conversely, those in the 67 to 74 age group were not in favor. Urban respondents showed strong support for the passage of a divorce law, with 43 percent expressing approval. In terms of gender, 40 percent of both men and women were in favor of passing the law, compared to 50 percent of males and 52 percent of females who were not in favor.
Support for legalizing divorce was also high among adult Filipinos with college or postgraduate education.
The survey, which had 1,200 respondents, had a nationwide margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent, and plus or minus 6 percent for Metro Manila, Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
Divorce remains a contentious issue in the Philippines due to its predominantly Catholic population and the influence of traditional family values. The country is one of the few in the world that does not have a divorce law, with annulment being the only legal means to end a marriage.
Opponents of legalizing divorce argue that it goes against the sanctity of marriage and could potentially weaken the institution of the family. Proponents, on the other hand, believe that divorce provides an essential option for individuals trapped in abusive or irreparable marriages.
It is important to note that the survey results reflect the current sentiment of the Filipino population, and public opinion may evolve over time as societal norms and values change.
As the debate continues, lawmakers and policymakers will need to carefully consider the views and concerns of the Filipino people when deciding on the future of divorce legislation in the country.
Source: The Manila Times
