Philippines: Divorce Bill Reaches Plenary Level
Catholic Bishops Oppose, House Approves Final Reading
MANILA, Philippines - A decades-long debate over divorce in the Philippines has reached a crucial stage as a bill legalizing absolute divorce has reached the plenary level of the House of Representatives. The bill, filed by Representative Padilla Robinhood C. in July 2022, has been met with strong opposition from Catholic bishops.
Despite their opposition, the House of Representatives approved the bill on its final reading on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. The bill now awaits deliberation in the Senate, and if passed and signed into law, it will amend the Family Code of the Philippines to allow for absolute divorce based on certain grounds.
Limited Grounds for Divorce
Under the bill, absolute divorce would be allowed on the following grounds:
- Irreconcilable differences
- Psychological incapacity
- Separation for at least two years
- Domestic violence or physical abuse
- Abandonment
The bill also provides for a mandatory six-month cooling-off period before a divorce can be granted.
Catholic Church's Opposition
The Catholic Church in the Philippines has been a vocal opponent of divorce, arguing that it undermines the sanctity of marriage. Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila, has said that the bill "is not in accordance with divine law and the natural law."
Despite the Church's opposition, public opinion polls have shown that a majority of Filipinos support divorce. A 2022 poll by the Social Weather Stations found that 61% of Filipinos believe that divorce should be allowed under certain circumstances.
Next Steps
The House's approval of the divorce bill is a significant step towards legalizing divorce in the Philippines. However, the bill still has to be passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. before it can take effect.
The debate over divorce is likely to continue in the Philippines as the bill moves through the legislative process. The issue is deeply divisive, with strong opinions on both sides.
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