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Davao del Norte 1st district Representative and former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has underscored the need to address the "overlooked issue" of battered husbands within marriages. Alvarez made the call on Saturday, June 17, a day before the celebration of Father's Day. “Sa mga mag-asawa, meron ding mga battered husbands na madalas nakakalimutan nating bigyan ng pansin, isinasantabi dahil sa pag-iisip na okay lang dahil lalake naman (In marriages, there are also battered husbands that we tend to forget about and ignore due to the belief that they're OK since they're men),"he said in a statement. "Pero hindi dapat ganoon, dapat bigyan rin natin sila ng pagkakataon na makalaya sa mga ganitong sitwasyon. Ang lalaki, nasasaktan din (But that shouldn't be the case, we should also give them the chance to escape from these situations. Men can also get hurt)," noted Alvarez. Alvarez is a hardcore supporter of pro-divocre legislation in the Philippines. He said that by advocating for divorce, he seeks to create an environment that fosters healthy co-parenting arrangements and allows fathers to thrive both personally and professionally, thus ensuring the financial well-being of their children. "Father's Day serves as a reminder to recognize the struggles fathers face and their need for support. It is our duty to support fathers trapped in toxic marriages, allowing them to break free and rebuild their lives," said the Mindanao solon. “Tulungan din natin ang mga tatay! Mahalagang reporma ang divorce legislation (Let us also help fathers! Divorce legislation is a good reform). If we succeed, we provide fathers the opportunity to address their mental health and emotional well-being so that they can be better fathers to their children," he added. "When these foundations are firmly set, they also become better and more productive citizens of our country," Alvarez said.