By Brian Jules Campued
Despite dividing opinions, more Filipinos still support the legalization of divorce for irreconcilably separated couples, a latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) reported over the weekend.
The survey, conducted from March 21 to 25, showed that 50% of the respondents supported the statement: “married couples who have already separated and cannot reconcile anymore should be allowed to divorce so that they can get legally married again”.
Of the said figure, 28% said they “strongly agree” to the statement and 22% answered “somewhat agree”.
Some 31% said they were not in favor of divorce, while 17% were undecided about the issue.
According to SWS, the survey resulted in a “moderately strong” net agreement score of +19 — which was down from the moderately strong +27 in June 2023 and the record-high “very strong” +44 in March 2023.
The net agreement score was also very strong among people with live-in partners compared to other demographics, such as those who are widowed and separated, unmarried, as well as married couples.
Positive positions on divorce were highest in Metro Manila, followed by Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
In terms of religion, the polling firm disclosed that support for divorce was highest for other Christian denominations at +21 net agreement score; followed by Catholics (+20) and Muslims (+11). However, Iglesia ni Cristo showed a “moderately weak” score at -10.
The March 2024 survey on divorce interviewed 1,500 adults nationwide and consisted of 50% men and 50% women.
To recall, the Absolute Divorce bill was approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives on May 22, 2024. On the other hand, the bill is facing an uphill battle in the Senate.
In an informal survey conducted by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, six senators so far were in favor of divorce: Risa Hontiveros, Grace Poe, Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano, Raffy Tulfo, and Robin Padilla.
At least five were opposed: Estrada, Senate President Francis Escudero, Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, and Senators Joel Villanueva and Ronald dela Rosa.
In separate interviews, Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Cynthia Villar said they are also not in favor of divorce. Zubiri, Villar, and other senators were not mentioned by Estrada in his survey. – avds
