Divorce no chance of being legalized under a Pacquiao presidency

Divorce will not be legalized if government is to be headed by Senator Manny Pacquiao.

The presidential aspirant made this vow as he called on colleagues in Congress to pursue legislative measures that would further strengthen marriage and unite families.

Known for being deeply religious, Pacquiao told a press conference in Tagum City on Wednesday, Dec. 15 that he will not support bills that would espouse the legalization of divorce in the country.

With his wife, Jinkee beside him, Pacquiao said he is grateful for having a very understanding wife who supports him in all his endeavors, including his presidential bid.

“Very supportive ang asawa ko at kahit saan ako magpunta ay nakasuporta palagi. (My wife is very supportive that she shows this anywhere I go.)” the country’s boxing pride said.

Although he is against a divorce proposal, Pacquiao said he will not stop lawmakers from pursuing the passage of bills that would allow divorce.

In the House of Representatives, the Gabriela Partylist has filed a divorce measure that is currently pending in the committee level.

A similar bill is pending in the Senate.

“Against ako sa divorce kasi pinag-isa kayo ng Panginoon. Sabi nga sa bible what has God joined together, let man not separate. Sacred kasi yang pag-aasawa. (I am against divorce because you were joined together by the Lord.),” he said.

He pointed out that the law has made counseling mandatory for couples applying for marriage license because this is “a lifetime commitment.”

The PROMDI presidential bet has been conducting consultative meetings with local government units in Mindanao.