President Marcos Jr.’s Consideration on Absolute Divorce Bill
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is open to giving a favorable response to the absolute divorce bill if its provisions prove sound and receive recognition as proper and necessary from religious institutions. This stance was shared by a Palace official, emphasizing that the president has yet to form a definitive opinion as he continues to review the bill.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro remarked that the president’s position remains undecided, awaiting a thorough study of the bill’s contents. “As of now, the president has no clear stance on the divorce bill. As we’ve said, it’s really better to first look into the contents and provisions of the said divorce bill,” Castro explained during a briefing.
Careful Review and Church Perspectives
Castro added that support from the president largely depends on the bill’s acceptability among the churches. “If the provisions are sound and we see that each church agrees that it is proper and necessary, the president may give it a favorable response,” she said when asked about the possibility of Marcos backing the bill in the 20th Congress.
Despite this openness, the Palace official stressed the importance of couples striving to resolve marital issues before considering separation. “But it would be better—and that is also what the president hopes for—that we strengthen the bond between married couples and further promote the resolution of their issues so they can fix their families, not just for themselves but also for their children,” Castro added.
Current Developments on Absolute Divorce Legislation
Two separate bills aiming to legalize absolute divorce were recently refiled in the House of Representatives under the 20th Congress: House Bill 108 introduced by the 4Ps Party-list and House Bill 210 by the ACT Teachers Party-list.
These measures outline grounds for absolute divorce, including physical abuse, drug addiction, and homosexuality, among others already cited in the Family Code. The push for legal divorce reflects evolving social needs, as the Philippines remains one of the last countries without divorce laws, alongside the Vatican.
Back in 2022, during his presidential bid, Marcos expressed openness to legalizing divorce but emphasized that the process should not be simplified excessively.
Social Context and Global Comparison
Currently, the Philippines and the Vatican are the only places worldwide without divorce laws, following Malta’s legalization of divorce in 2011. This unique position often fuels debates about the necessity and impact of divorce legislation in Filipino society.
As this dialogue continues, stakeholders emphasize the balance between respecting cultural and religious values and addressing the realities faced by families in distress.
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