Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin has proposed making the process of annulment free as a possible compromise with the Senate in case the upper chamber is unable to pass the Absolute Divorce Bill.
The Philippines and Vatican City are the countries that don't currently have a divorce law. The existing recourse for unhappy couples is annulment, but this is a notoriously long and expensive process.
'Gawing libre ang annulment': Garin proposes compromise with Senate on divorce bill
May 29, 2024 08:42 AM
At a glance
Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin (PPAB)
Absolute Divorce Bill proponent Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin knows the difficultly in passing the controversial measure in the 24-member Senate.
That's why Garin proposed on Wednesday, May 29 a possible compromise with the upper chamber, even as the House of Representatives had already approved the pro-divorce bill on third and final reading.
"Kung in case na hindi siya mapasa dahil medyo patas ang takbo sa Senado, pwedeng gawin diyan ay gawing libre ang annulment. Dapat walang ganoon kalaking gastos. Sa hirap ng buhay gagastusan mo pa ba 'yung annulment? Dahil dito, nagiging tiis-tiis na lang," Garin said.
(If in case it doesn't get passed because the Senate is split on it, then they could make annulment free. There should no longer be high costs. It's already hard to make ends meet, yet you still have to pay for annulment? It's because of this that people just put up with their situation.)
Garin was among the legislators who voted 'yes' to House Bill (HB) No.9349, or the proposed Absolute Divorce Law, during a House plenary session last May 22.
As per House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, the bill was approved on third and final reading with 131 affirmative votes, 109 negative votes, and 20 abstentions.
HB No.9349 seeks to provide absolute divorce as a legal remedy for irreparably broken marriages under specific grounds and judicial processes, with the goal of sparing children from the emotional strain of parental dispute and allowing divorced individuals to remarry.
ALSO READ:
The belief is that the measure will have a harder time hurdling the Senate.
The Philippines and Vatican City are the only countries that don't currently have a divorce law. The existing recourse for unhappy couples is annulment, but this is a notoriously long and expensive process.
Garin said she respects the opinion of her fellow legislators regarding divorce--a touchy subject in the country.
"Depende 'yan sa bawat legislator. May kanya-kanyang paniniwala, 'yung iba sinasabi may annulment naman.)
(It depends with every legislator. There are personal beliefs at play, for some annulment is enough.)