Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 6) — Despite differences in religious beliefs and affiliations, members of the House of Representatives will “cross party lines” in considering the legalization of divorce in the Philippines, a senior lawmaker said Thursday.
“I think members of the House of Representatives will cross party lines in order to support the measure,” said Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who will head a technical working group in charge of consolidating three divorce bills recently passed by a House committee.
Lagman is the author of House Bill 100, one of the three bills passed Wednesday by the House Committee on Population and Family Relations.three bills passed Wednesday by the House Committee on Population and Family Relations. The other two approved measures were House bills 838 and 263, all calling for the institution of absolute divorce and the absolution of marriage in the Philippines.
“The three measures are similar and easy to consolidate because there are few differing provisions. What we will do is aside from consolidating the three bills, we will see if we can accommodate some inputs or suggestions of the research persons,” Lagman told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom.
Other members of the TWG are Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, A Teacher Party-list Rep. Victoria Umali, Negros Occidental Rep. Juliet Ferrer, and Bukidnon Rep. Ma. Lourdes Acosta-Alba, who will all convene on February 12 to discuss the measure further.
Lagman noted that among the recommendations being considered is changing the title of the measure to a “reinstitution” of divorce in the country, as historical traditions have allowed its practice nationwide.
“Even during the pre-hispanic times, the native Filipinos then have their own practices of divorce. And then during the American occupation we had divorce, during the Japanese occupation, we had divorce,” he reasoned.
But how important is this measure? Lagman said that couples in “irremediably damaged” marriages deserve liberation and a second chance.
“It is very important because there are couples in irremediably damaged marriages that need relief, and practically, in all of these cases, the suffering spouse is the woman. We feel very strongly women should be given that liberation from a failed marriage so they could have another shot at a blissful marriage,” he said.
A previous version of the divorce bill got the approval of the House on third and final reading in the 17th Congress, but it failed to hurdle Senate, due to lack of time.
After a committee approval, this new version will first be deliberated among the 302-strong members of the House in the 18th Congress, which is being led by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, a practicing Christian.
Back in October, Cayetano said that although he does not support divorce, he will not stand in the way if majority of the lawmakers will push for its legalization.
“I am confident that this will pass the plenary consideration by the House of Representatives…a similar measure is moving fast in the Senate,” Lagman noted.
Even Cayetano’s sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano, and Risa Hontiveros are pushing for divorce in the Senate with their bills 288 and 356, respectively.
Congress has more than enough time to deliberate on the approval of the measure up until the end of the 18th Congress. Either of the two chambers can enforce on the progress of the measure and hold a bicameral conference committee to finalize the difference between the two versions.
The Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country, is the only remaining state aside from Vatican City that has no divorce law.
