By Minde Nyl R. Dela Cruz

THE House of Representatives passed on third and final reading a bill which seeks absolute divorce with a vote of 134-57-2 amid President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s rejection of the measure.

House Bill 7303, sponsored by Cavite Rep. Sol Aragones, Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman, and Gabriela Rep. Emmi De Jesus, grants dissolution of marriage for “irremediable failed marriages.”

The bill aims to “protect the children from the pain and stress resulting from their parents’ marital problems” and to “grant the divorced spouses the right to marry again.”

Caloocan Rep. Edgar R. Erice, who voted no, said: “Sa palagay ko, marami pang ibang mga batas na pwede tayong gawin upang protektahan ang mga naaapi sa loob ng kasal. Marami pa tayong mga batas na pwedeng gawin upang parusahan ‘yung mga nagkakamali na pumapaloob sa sakramento ng kasal. Marami pa po tayong pwedeng gawin para mapalakas ang pagsasama ng mga taong pumapaloob sa sakramento ng kasal.”

(I think we can craft other laws to protect those who are abused in marriage. We can do other laws to punish those who err while under the sacrament of marriage. We can do more to strengthen the relationship of the people under the sacrament of marriage.)

Cebu Rep. Raul V. Del Mar, who also voted in the negative, reiterated that divorce is against the Constitution.

“Divorce does not protect the state. Divorce harms and destroys the family,” Mr. Del Mar said, citing Section 2 of Article XV.

However, Ms. De Jesus reiterated that the bill is not a religious issue and will provide additional remedies to failing marriages.

Under the proposal, the court proceedings shall be inexpensive and affordable. Summary judicial proceedings shall also be granted on certain grounds, including de facto separation for five years, legal separation, bigamous marriage, if a spouse is imprisoned at least six years, and if one of the spouses has undergone sex reassignment surgery.

Senate President Aquilino Martin L. Pimentel III, for his part, said, “Dissolution of marriage is a new concept hence give us time to study it.”

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR