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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Slim victory is still a victory': Lagman reacts to pro-divorce bill passage 

'Slim victory is still a victory': Lagman reacts to pro-divorce bill passage 

Published May 22, 2024 10:23 am

At A Glance

  • Independent minority solon Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman has described the third reading passage of the bill legalizing divorce as "a clear and resounding victory" for Filipinos, especially women. 

IMG-d70aa298fac2da7a0fd206481f4bc6bf-V.jpgAlbay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)



Independent minority solon Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman has described the third reading passage of the bill legalizing divorce as "a clear and resounding victory" for Filipinos, especially women.

Lagman was referring to House Bill(HB) No.9349, titled, "An Act reinstituting absolute divorce as an alternative mode for the dissolution of marriage".

“As the only country in the world besides the Vatican where divorce is still illegal, this is a clear and resounding victory and signals the imminent liberation for Filipino wives who are entombed in toxic, abusive, and long-dead marriages,” he said in a statement Wednesday afternoon, May 22.

Lagman was the main sponsor and defender of HB No.9349 during the period of interpellations.

In a subsequent press conference, the Bicolano appeared unbothered by the slim victory that the measure had in plenary. "A victory, whether slim or not, is still a victory," he said.

"Kung sa NBA (National Basketball Association) yan, malaking lamang na yan, hindi na yan mahahabol," joked Lagman about the measure's 17-vote margin.

(Had that been an NBA game, that would have been an insurmountable lead.)


Minutes earlier, nominal voting results showed 126 "yes" votes for the pro-divorce bill, against 109 "no votes". There were also 20 abstentions.

This means that the "no" votes and the abstentions outnumbered those who wanted to have HB No.9349 passed.

"This is a pro-women legislation," Lagman stressed.

ALSO READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/22/house-approves-pro-divorce-bill-anew-in-close-vote


His statement further read, "By legalizing divorce, the Philippines acknowledges the need to provide options for individuals trapped in unhappy and irreparable marriages. This recognition reflects an evolving understanding of the complexities and challenges that can arise within marital unions.”

He assured critics of the measure that a divorce law will not destroy marriages because “divorce does not put asunder a marriage as the union has long perished".

"What will be before the Family Court is a cadaver of a marriage. Divorce is not the monster plaguing a marriage. It is marital infidelity, abandonment, violence, and cruelty, among others, which are the devils that destroy marriages," Lagman said.

Related Tags

Edcel Lagman Third and Final Reading Divorce
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