Should divorce be legalised in the Philippines?
Predominantly Catholic population divided over right to end marriage through divorce.
On Tuesday, July 24 at 19:30 GMT:
Pro-divorce legislation faces a difficult battle in the Philippines, where a largely Roman Catholic populace remains divided over the legal and moral issues related to the dissolution of marriage.
A bill passed by the House of Representatives in March would allow couples to divorce for reasons including abuse, infidelity and irreconcilable differences. Women’s rights advocates say the measure would help spouses break free from abusive relationships. Those against the bill believe Filipinos must work harder to keep families together and maintain the sanctity of marriage.
The Philippines and Vatican City are the only remaining countries in the world where divorce is illegal.
There are currently two legal methods for couples in the Philippines to address a failed marriage. The first is through legal separation, but this does not allow for the husband or wife to remarry. The second method is through annulment, where the marriage is determined to be invalid from the start. Couples that obtain an annulment can remarry, but the process is considered to be expensive and not a practical option.
There have been other attempts to legalise divorce in the past, but none have gone this far through congress. Legislation must now go through the senate and then to President Rodrigo Duterte, who has said he does not support the right to divorce.
What do you think? Should divorce be legalised in the Philippines?
On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:
Lawrence Quintero @CFChrist
Head of Family Ministries, Couples for Christ
https://www.couplesforchristglobal.org
Inday Espina-Varona @indayevarona
Journalist
https://medium.com/@indayespinavarona
Ana P. Santos @iamAnaSantos
Journalist
Read more:
A Last Holdout on Divorce, Philippines Tiptoes Toward Legalization – The New York Times
Divorce law unlikely? Senate only wants easier, cheaper annulment – Rappler