Marcos open to studying divorce bill but stresses importance of saving marriage - Palace

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has no position yet on a divorce bill, according to Malacañang, though he previously expressed openness to it with strong reservations that the process should not be made easy.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said Thursday, July 3, that the president wants to study the refiled Absolute Divorce Bill, even as he emphasized the importance of strong family ties.

“Mas maganda po talagang makita kung ano iyong nilalaman na provisions… dahil sa ating pagkakaalam, ang karaniwan doon sa mga dahilan para i-approve ang legal separation ay sinama nila para maging dahilan na rin para mapawalang-bisa ang kasal.”

[Translation: It’s important to examine the bill’s provisions because many of the grounds for legal separation have now been included as grounds for dissolving a marriage.]

Castro noted that even the Roman Catholic Church allows annulments in cases where marriages cannot continue.

“Kahit po ang Simbahang Katoliko ay naniniwala na may mga pagkakataon na ang dalawang mag-asawa kung hindi na po talaga kakayaning magsama ay dapat na pong paghiwalayin.”

[Translation: Even the Catholic Church acknowledges that there are instances when couples can no longer remain together and should be separated.]

She said the president’s desire is to strengthen families rather than encourage separation.

“Mas paigtingin natin ang magandang pagsasama ng mag-asawa… para maayos ang kanilang pamilya, hindi lang para sa kanilang dalawa kundi para sa kanilang mga anak.”

[Translation: We should strengthen the relationship of married couples to preserve the family, not just for the couple, but for their children as well.]

Castro said the president’s position would depend on the bill’s content and public sentiment, including the views of religious groups.

“Kapag po maganda ang provisions at makikita rin po natin na ang bawat simbahan ay umaayon… maaari po itong bigyan ng magandang tugon ng Pangulo.”

[Translation: If the provisions are sound and religious groups are supportive, the president may respond positively to the bill.]

Refiled in Congress

Two bills seeking to institutionalize absolute divorce have been refiled in the House of Representatives: House Bill 108 by 4Ps Party-list Rep. JC Abalos, and House Bill 210 jointly filed by ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co.

The measures aim to introduce divorce as a legal option alongside existing remedies such as legal separation, annulment, and declaration of nullity. Proponents argue that the Family Code does not offer adequate or accessible remedies, especially for poor and abused women.

The House passed a similar bill in the 19th Congress, but it failed to gain traction in the Senate.

Earlier views

As a candidate in 2022, Marcos said he was open to legalizing divorce but cautioned against making it an easy option. He acknowledged that in some cases, separation benefits both the couple and their children.

“There are real cases that I have seen where the spouses separate… the kids are better off, the husband and wife are better off,” he said in an interview.

He described the country as “halfway there” with legal separation and suggested it might be time to take the next step.

“So let’s take the next step,” he said. “But don’t make it easy… We must allow our married couples to work on their marriages and work hard on it.”