Solons continue to ponder Divorce Bill | ABS-CBN
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Solons continue to ponder Divorce Bill
Visitors flock to Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Visitors flock to Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA -- Congressmen were left pondering their votes on House Bill 9349, or the proposed Absolute Divorce Act, as the House of Representatives went on its Lenten break without voting on the bill.
MANILA -- Congressmen were left pondering their votes on House Bill 9349, or the proposed Absolute Divorce Act, as the House of Representatives went on its Lenten break without voting on the bill.
The bill is still in the period of interpellation and debate.
The bill is still in the period of interpellation and debate.
La Union 1st District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega eyes strengthening current annulment laws instead.
La Union 1st District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega eyes strengthening current annulment laws instead.
"I think the essence of the bill highlights the protection of any married person to their spouse and in that light, I think that there is a need to look into what are the ways that we can further protect those who are in unfair or in relationships, in marriages that are detrimental," said Ortega. "If the intent is to protect those who are in marriages that are not beneficial or detrimental marriages, if they are let's say for example abuse, then I think there are ways to look into other revisions of the bill, so we can introduce revisions for example to the annulment bill."
"I think the essence of the bill highlights the protection of any married person to their spouse and in that light, I think that there is a need to look into what are the ways that we can further protect those who are in unfair or in relationships, in marriages that are detrimental," said Ortega. "If the intent is to protect those who are in marriages that are not beneficial or detrimental marriages, if they are let's say for example abuse, then I think there are ways to look into other revisions of the bill, so we can introduce revisions for example to the annulment bill."
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Ortega first articulated his position in a press conference February 21.
Ortega first articulated his position in a press conference February 21.
"I can openly say what I will vote on. I won't vote on the divorce bill because I am working on simplifying some provisions of the annulment," he said.
"I can openly say what I will vote on. I won't vote on the divorce bill because I am working on simplifying some provisions of the annulment," he said.
Like Ortega, House Deputy Speaker David Suarez acknowledges that some marriages need help.
Like Ortega, House Deputy Speaker David Suarez acknowledges that some marriages need help.
"But you know reality has to come in and step in that really, there are marriages and relationships that don’t end in a happy ending," said Suarez. "However, what I would rather see (in the) debates, are number one, efforts to strengthen the family. Programs that would support families that stay together."
"But you know reality has to come in and step in that really, there are marriages and relationships that don’t end in a happy ending," said Suarez. "However, what I would rather see (in the) debates, are number one, efforts to strengthen the family. Programs that would support families that stay together."
Both Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Almario and Ako Bicol Rep. Raul Bongalon are still weighing their options.
Both Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Almario and Ako Bicol Rep. Raul Bongalon are still weighing their options.
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"I cannot say for sure, however I think it’s worth looking into, even further. We already have so many bills in Congress and in the country. I think that many bills require revisiting rather than adding even more bills din to our existing number bills," Almario said.
"I cannot say for sure, however I think it’s worth looking into, even further. We already have so many bills in Congress and in the country. I think that many bills require revisiting rather than adding even more bills din to our existing number bills," Almario said.
"Well, if we have members who are pro and we have members also that are against, personally, I am not yet decided," said Bongalon. "My understanding of absolute divorce is a divorce that is no fault clause... And that is not the divorce that is pending in the House of Representatives."
"Well, if we have members who are pro and we have members also that are against, personally, I am not yet decided," said Bongalon. "My understanding of absolute divorce is a divorce that is no fault clause... And that is not the divorce that is pending in the House of Representatives."
Two Muslim lawmakers meanwhile backed the divorce bill.
Two Muslim lawmakers meanwhile backed the divorce bill.
"We allow the annulment, why not go full speed in allow divorce?" asked Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Adiong. "I come from my own community, we see marriage as a social contract. It’s entered between to conscientious individuals. Anything that breaks that contract, one party can avail of the annulment of a contract. It is a social contract."
"We allow the annulment, why not go full speed in allow divorce?" asked Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Adiong. "I come from my own community, we see marriage as a social contract. It’s entered between to conscientious individuals. Anything that breaks that contract, one party can avail of the annulment of a contract. It is a social contract."
"It’s being realistic in admitting that there are cases of bad marriages which are beyond resuscitation na the only way for both spouses are to go their separate ways. Bakit mo sila itatali kung wala ng pagmamahal sa bawat isa? (Why tie them up together if they don't love each other anymore?) Adiong added.
"It’s being realistic in admitting that there are cases of bad marriages which are beyond resuscitation na the only way for both spouses are to go their separate ways. Bakit mo sila itatali kung wala ng pagmamahal sa bawat isa? (Why tie them up together if they don't love each other anymore?) Adiong added.
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In a press conference last February 21, Lanao del Norte 1st District Rep, Mohamad Dimaporo also backed divorce.
In a press conference last February 21, Lanao del Norte 1st District Rep, Mohamad Dimaporo also backed divorce.
"I think you all know na (that) in the religion of Islam divorce is acknowledged so on our part in our side of the plenary parang wala talagang problema (I don't see any problem). So I think as far as the Muslim legislators we will be supporting the divorce bill," said Dimaporo.
"I think you all know na (that) in the religion of Islam divorce is acknowledged so on our part in our side of the plenary parang wala talagang problema (I don't see any problem). So I think as far as the Muslim legislators we will be supporting the divorce bill," said Dimaporo.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman has been sponsoring the bill during the plenary deliberations. He has faced interpellations from Reps. Rodante Marcoleta, Rufus Rodriguez, and Bro. Eddie Villanueva who spoke against the measure.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman has been sponsoring the bill during the plenary deliberations. He has faced interpellations from Reps. Rodante Marcoleta, Rufus Rodriguez, and Bro. Eddie Villanueva who spoke against the measure.
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