The House Committee on Population and Family Relations approved the absolute divorce bill on Tuesday (Aug.17).
In a virtual hearing, the committee unanimously approved the unnumbered substitute bill that will allow the voiding of the marital union and divorced spouses to remarry. The bill is now up for plenary approval.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the approval of the absolute divorce bill is a “momentous occasion” for abused wives to “regain their humanity, self-respect, and freedom.”
“Today is a momentous occasion for countless wives, who are battered and deserted, to regain their humanity, self-respect, and freedom from irredeemably failed marriages and utterly dysfunctional unions,” he said.
Lagman said House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco also submitted the perfecting amendments such as provisions on court-assisted petitioners, community-based pre-nuptial and post-matrimonial programs, community-based women’s desks to provide assistance and support to victims of violence and abuse, and an appropriation language for the bill that are included in the substitute bill.
The grounds for divorce included in the bill are separation in fact for at least five years at the time the petition for absolute divorce is filed, when one of the spouses undergoes a gender reassignment surgery or transitions from one sex to another, irreconcilable marital differences as defined in the bill, other forms of domestic or marital abuse which are also defined in the bill, valid foreign divorce secured by either the alien or Filipino spouse, and a marriage nullified by a recognized religious tribunal.
In addition to this, the grounds for legal separation, annulment of marriage, and nullification of marriage based on psychological incapacity under the Family Code of the Philippines are also incorporated in the bill.
The grounds were also amended to cover causes arising after the solemnization of marriage.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza on Wednesday (Aug. 18) said the committee “railroaded” the passage of the substitute bill on absolute divorce.
“We condemn the action taken by the Committee on Population and Family Relations in railroading the passage of the substitute bill on absolute divorce in the country.”
Atienza pointed out that it is in “direct violation of the Constitution” that says the state “recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution.”
“The Constitution says the sanctity of marriage should be protected by the State. Passing this measure goes against the inviolability of marriage, which should never be broken, infringed, or dishonored,” he insisted.
(PNA)/NGS- jlo
