LEGAZPI CITY — A bill in Congress that seeks to legalize divorce in the Philippines was met with disapproval by finalists to the search for Ten Outstanding Students for Bicol (TOSB).
The finalists, who were selected by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and AKO BICOL Partylist representatives from among nominees from various private and state colleges and universities in the Bicol region, gave their views on a wide range of legislative measures currently being debated in Congress during interviews sessions held with Legazpi City-based media persons recently.
Among the key issues in Congress that were raised by the media persons to the finalists were the divorce bill, Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, anti-drugs campaign of the Duterte administration and the proposed change in form of government from presidential to federalism.
The media persons, most of them affiliated with the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster sa Pilipinas, and working for provincial, regional and national media outfits, are engaged in multi-media platforms such as print, radio, television, social media and online.
TOSB opened its search to Bicolano students enrolled in different higher education institutions within the Bicol region, who have shown exemplary performance in scholarship, leadership and service.
Like most of his co-finalists in the search, Mark Adrian Henera, a 4th year student of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Divine Word College of Legazpi, believes the divorce bill will create a social disorder.
A technical working group led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who authored the Reproductive Health Law, consolidated and transmitted the proposals about divorce bill.
Henera said: “Family is the basic foundation of our society and yes, we have rights but we need to consider the effect of this bill in the minds and future of our children”.
Aira Mae Diocariza, a finalist from Ligao Community College, asserted that the divorce bill “will not help the society, specially the youth”.
She said government intervention in strengthening the ties of a family is needed in building a nation.
Rep. Rodel Batocabe, one of three representatives of AKO Bicol partylist group in Congress and one of the authors of the divorce bill, in an interview Monday said the bill was created to lessen the number of dysfunctional families in the country.
“We need to consider the welfare of the children because of these dysfunctional families,” said Batocabe.
CHED and AKB said TOSB aims to recognize the hard work and contribution of Bicolano students in local and national development, a vision shared by the two award-giving bodies.
The 20 finalists to the search are: Frensie Honeylette Brigola; Bob Vincent Gonzales; Mary Grace Mortega; Joness Sadang; Mark Lincel Tagong and Arnel Turiano, all from University of Saint Anthony of Iriga City; Gene Harvey Amoroso; Eric P. Mirabueno; Jessa Brioso of Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges; Penafranzia Bagasina; Bryan Kim Ordonez and Mika Ramos—all from Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation in Naga City and Canaman Campus;
Carlo Dasco of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture in Sipocot Camarines Sur; Joan Redota of University of Nueva Caceres; Marianne Rose Brusola and Mark Adrian Henera of Divine World College of Legazpi (DWCL); Aira Mae Diocariza of Ligao Community College —all schools in Albay;
Ace John Tabuzo of Catanduanes State University and Bianca Serrano University of Northeastern Philippines and Earl David Gunio of Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology.
The final 10 winners in the search will be chosen on the basis of scholarship-3 points, leadership -2.0 points, service- 2.0 points, and essay/interview-3 points. (Connie Calipay/PNA)
