The House Population and Family Relations Committee approved the absolute divorce bill, which allows it to go to plenary for debate. This is the next thing we have done to finally give people full freedom to decide the course of their relationships. As a predominantly Catholic nation, this will naturally provoke fierce conflict and culturally just indignation deeply rooted. However, as someone who works with families, I would like to make a few comments on this issue. On the other hand, “divorce will allow higher reasons or during marriage, such as marital infidelity, domestic violence, chronic gambling and illegal drugs, while allowing remarriage,” he explained, adding that it would also offer protection to children who suffer and experience daily anxiety and stress. According to Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, author of one of the three divorce bills approved at the House committee level, is aware of the very strict requirements that would not be an easy way out of a difficult marriage. Divorce should be legalized because Filipino women and children find themselves in a precarious and dangerous situation without it. It should be legal in a country where women play an important role in society. Divorce does not dishonor the sanctity of marriage in the Philippines, but aims to give Filipino couples a more accessible choice if their marriage fails. Legalizing divorce would benefit everyone, regardless of gender, age and status. The absence of legal divorce in the Philippines exacerbates class and gender inequalities.
Under the current system, only the upper class can afford the legal means to inquire about the dissolution of unsuccessful marriages, let alone the length of the process required for legal separation. This emphasis on protecting the sanctity of marriage above all else also normalizes domestic violence, which is mainly experienced by women through verbal and sexual harassment and by children through exposure to parental conflict. In addition, the absence of divorce reflects the legislator`s lack of protection for women who are abused and unable to escape their horrific reality of marriage. Many of these women suffer in silence in the Philippines. And yet, due to the absence of a divorce law, they are limited to their desperate situation. It is obvious that most of the people who are in favor of legalizing divorce in the Philippines are women. We cannot deny the fact that they are habitual victims of abusive marriages. Divorce could be the solution to these problems. It could provide protection to abused women and their children. This could save a woman from being beaten daily by a drunk husband. A divorce would not necessarily destroy the foundations of the family.
This gives couples hope to rebuild their lives and have a normal relationship. It is a reality that many suffer from abusive marriages. Why would anyone find themselves stuck in a marriage where love and respect no longer exist? Why deny them the chance to regain their freedom and happiness? Not legalizing divorce is a total injustice to these people. IV. In fact, divorce can effectively be legalized in the Philippines without necessarily opposing the Church. Since the Roman Catholic Church refers to the Bible in preaching the Word of God, it is perfectly valid to locate the points of divorce in the Bible. According to The Wells, “God tolerates divorce in cases of adultery, abandonment, and abuse.” If there has been sexual immorality committed by one spouse or adultery, divorce is permitted, as Matthew 19:9 says: “And I say unto you, whoever divorces his wife, except because of sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” Departure occurs when an unbelieving spouse has left a believing spouse, and this is done in 1. Corinthians 7:12–16. Abuse is also grounds for divorce if there is a danger to the spouse or children due to physical or sexual abuse, separation may be advised. If the offending party does not repent of this sin, divorce may be the final result of this separation. This is found in Malachi 2:16, where it says, “For the man who loves not his wife, but divorces, speaks, the Lord God of Israel covers his garment by force, saith the Lord of hosts. So keep yourself in your mind and don`t be incredulous. Even God knows that the sinful nature of the world exists, so He allows divorce.
However, it is also said that divorce should always be considered the last step in the loving discipline of a rebellious and unrepentant spouse. It may be true that God hates divorce, but that doesn`t mean He hates the divorced person. With these points, since it turns out that divorce is not the murderer of happy marriages. It is simply a life raft for people who are drowning in a marriage that is already long dead. If you want to ensure a successful marriage, we should provide couples with resources and support to help them adapt better, not just tell them to stay together. When you love someone, you don`t chain them to you; Her decision to stay is a greater sense of emotional security than locking her into a divorce free marriage. Divorce laws were reportedly introduced in previous legislatures but not enacted. The bill, which has just been passed, has the support of the Speaker of the House, according to MP Edcel Lagman, a supporter of the recently passed bill.
“Marriage is a contractual obligation to offer love, respect and support. The parties must divorce if there is no love, respect and support in the marriage. Divorce is for those who need it, no one forces others to file for divorce if they don`t want to. But for those who want a divorce and desperately need it, the law must offer them that option. It`s their right,” Padilla concludes. Not allowing divorce as a legal option is like not allowing emergency exits in a building. Imagine there was a fire, but the building owner didn`t have emergency exits in place because they “don`t believe it” and you were expected to continue to manage the fire, not escape. Always imagine a building infested with toxic mold, but that you are not allowed to evacuate because others could not understand why you did not have the will to cure it. Hopefully, most people won`t have to use emergency exits in their lives. And you`ll be happy that it`s there when you need it. He has already been challenged against the bill on moral grounds.
But the Catholic Church need not worry. The institutions of marriage and family have survived to this day, as they will survive a Philippine divorce law. We are a secular state where no religious group has the right to set laws or policies for the entire population. The law should only give people a choice based on their personal beliefs. We can clearly see that our Catholic orientation was a dominant factor. Divorce is something we should embrace. Remember that Spain is the root of Christianity, but divorce has been implemented. You benefit from it now. Many people fear that divorce could undermine the values and teachings of the Catholic Church.
The cases of Italy and Spain (two Catholic countries that practice divorce) are clear evidence of their invalidity. According to Meyer (2017), “a divorce is a legal action between married people to end their marital relationship.
