Bill filed to allow prov’l governors to solemnize marriages

Deputy Speaker and Cebu 3rd district Rep. Pablo John Garcia has filed a bill authorizing provincial governors to solemnize marriages within their territorial jurisdictions.

He filed House Bill No. 7849 citing the need for Congress to empower the provincial governors to solemnize marriages.

“Granting provincial governors the authority to solemnize marriages would give constituents greater access to an essential service which is the foundation of the family, society’s basic unit,” Garcia said. 

He noted that under law, the city and municipal mayors are granted the authority to solemnize marriages. 

“Provincial governors—who exercise similar functions as the local chief executives—unjustifiably have been denied a similar authority,” the House leader said.

“And yet, as provincial governors invariably experience, their constituents continue to expect them to render this service, mistakenly thinking that the law authorizes them to do so,” 

HB 7849 authorizes provincial governors, within their territorial jurisdictions to solemnize marriages in accordance with law. 

It provides that any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order , letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or is consistent with the provision of the proposed Act is repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 

The proposed Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation. 

Garcia’s bill has been pending with the House Committee on Revision of Laws since October 15.