Senator Loren Legarda wants to see the final version of the divorce bill in the Senate first before deciding on her position on the proposed law.

 Legarda as Senate President Pro Tempore in September 2023 signed committee report of the Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality endorsing approval of Senate Bill 2443 or the proposed "Dissolution of Marriage Act." 

She said signing a committee report can signal either of 2 things: that the signatory approves of the bill or that the signatory wants floor deliberations on the bill. 

"May committee report right? Basahin po ninyo  ang committee report naglagda ako ng aking nag sign ako ng committee report so basahin niyo yung committee report, I signed the committee report didiskusyon yan sa floor pakinggan yan ng husto ang mga debate. Kung nag sign  ka ng committee report anong ibig sabihin niyan maaring sang-ayon ka sa panukalang batas or gusto mo lang dalhin sa floor para madiskusyon. Habang dinidiskusyon pag aralan natin yung panukalang batas na nakasaad sa committee report at yun ay bobotohan natin." Legarda told media during a tete-a-tete on Thursday.

Jinggoy says divorce bill not a priority of the Senate 

(I signed the committee report. When you sign a committee report, that could mean you support it, it could also mean you want floor debates. )

"Basahin niyo yung committee report, naglagda ako doon, ang aking signature and that will imply that I want it discussed because maaring napapanahon na at ating tignan ang diskusyon kung papaano ito mapapaigting na ito'y makakasakop ng marami para mabawasan ang mga naapektuhan naghihinagpis na mga naabusong kababaihan pati na rin kalalakihan pero titignan natin yung diskusyon sa floor kasi iba ibang versions right, it's the dissolution of marriage right, you call it the divorce bill, so tignan natin what version," she said.

(My signature implies I want it discussed because it maybe timely. Let's see how the discussion goes and how it would spare those men and women who are suffering. Let's see the final version.)

Legarda said that it should be acceptable and accessible to the poor who cannot afford lawyers. 

"Pumirma ako ng committee report basahin po ninyo ang committee report. Maaring napapanahon na ang importante ay ilapit natin yung economic cost financial cost sa mga naghihirap na mga kababaihan pati na rin kalalakihan  base sa mga importanteng mga grounds na talagang hindi na pwedeng magsama. Tignan natin ang mga diskusyon," she said.

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(It maybe timely. What is important is making it accessible based on the grounds. Let's see where it goes.)

Legarda however stopped short of openly taking a categorical stand. She is concerned that the final version may have unacceptable provisions.

Legarda explained she has not read the House approved divorce bill.

On Wednesday, Senator Cynthia Villar said she was surprised that the House of Representatives approved a bill legalizing divorce, saying she is against it. 

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri meanwhile, said he is pro-family, and he is against the proposed law. He believes the divorce bill will be a conscience vote in the Senate.

Villar and Zubiri joined the ranks of  Senate President Francis Escudero, Senator Joel Villanueva, Senate Minority Leader  Koko Pimentel and Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada who have gone on the record against the House-approved version of the divorce law.

Senators Sonny Angara and Bong Revilla separately told media they're still studying the measure. 

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian meantime told a separate forum that he has not read the divorce bills at the House and the Senate.

Lawmakers disagree on 'till death do us part' in divorce bill debate

Estrada told reporters that the initial result of his survey showed that also against the bill are Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino and Senator Ronald dela Rosa. ABS-CBN News is still waiting for confirmation from Tolentino and dela Rosa.

There are so far 7 senators supportive  and 6 senators against enacting a divorce law in the country, with 2--Angara and Revilla--- still studying the measure. Gatchalian has not read either the House or Senate versions. 

Senator Grace Poe told media that she will support the bill but will amend certain provisions.  Poe also indicated signed to indicate she will amend or interpellate. Senator JV Ejercito also said he is leaning in favor of the bill.

That's in addition to the authors of the Senate's version of the proposed divorce law. 

Senate Bill 2443, was principally authored by Senators Risa Hontiveros, Raffy Tulfo, Robinhood Padilla, Pia Cayetano and Imee Marcos, is pending 2nd reading before the Senate plenary.

Pimentel  also signed but indicated he will interpellate during the plenary deliberations.