Philippines and Divorce

Divorce has always been a controversial issue.

Before I state my opinions, I will discuss a brief historical background on how divorce bill started here in the Philippines.

The divorce bill is not actually a new issue.

I got these hard facts from http://thewutzup.com/2011/06/21/divorce-in-the-philippines/

It has been controversial ever since it was mentioned in the Philippine Congress. Representative Manuel C. Ortega filed the House Bill No. 6993 way back in 1991 to endorse the divorce to be legal in the Philippines. In 2001, Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon and Bellaflor J. Angara-Castolla filed a similar matter under the Senate Bill no. 782 and House Bill no. 878, respectively. Then, in 2005, a party-list representative Liza Masa of Gabriela also filed a divorce bill and filed it again during the 14th congress under House Bill no. 3461 to introduce it in the Philippines.

Today, DIVORCE has been HOT TOPIC not only inside the congress but also throughout the Philippines especially in the rural areas. There are different opinions coming out that categorizing the supporters and non-supporters of the said bill. Even the government officials have different opinions regarding the House Bill no. 3461.

“It is bound to be another one contentious bill, but let me just say that I myself is in favor of the bill. (It’s) very difficult to let the people who cannot continue to live together. “– Feliciano Belmonte
“Let us not keep our country in the dark ages. I appeal to my colleagues in Congress to let the legislative mill run its course on the Divorce bill without further delay and give Filipino couples in irreparable and unhappy marriages this option.”- Luzviminda Ilagan

For the non-supporters of the said Bill, marriage is not only a legal union but also a sacred union between the man and woman bless by God. These two persons institute themselves as partner for their whole life and promise not to separate whatever happens. But for the supporters, there are unhappy marriages all over the Philippines. These marriages are not working so why not end it. So, divorce is the only option for them.

Of course, this is a no brainer, the Catholic Church is against the said Bill.
It is interesting to note that the Catholic church would oppose the legalization of divorce. Since, some other said Christian countries like America has already legalized divorce. Would they also support making divorce illegal in those countries?

Divorce is currently illegal here in the Philippines, and the Catholic church would like it to remain that way.

Each person has their own view and opinion on this hot and very controversial issue.
This matter will take time for the Philippines to sort out. It is also significant for the congress to know the opinions of their citizens. This will help them to decide if the country needs the Divorce Bill or not.

The best way is still to sort out the positive and the negative sides of divorce.