Philippines Proposed Divorce Bill

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In 2005, party-list representative Liza Masa of Gabriela filed a divorce bill. In 2001, similar bills were filed in the Senate (Bill No. 782), introduced by Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon, and House of Representatives (Bill No. 878), introduced by Honorable Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo.

In 1999, Representative Manuel C. Ortega filed House Bill No. 6993, seeking for the legalization of divorce. This Congress (14th Congress), Gabriela again filed a bill to introduce divorce in the Philippines. Here’s the explanatory note of House Bill 3461, filed by GABRIELA Women’s Party Representatives Liza Largoza-Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan. 

Let’s open this topic for discussion by everyone. Let’s avoid name-calling and focus on the merits. If you support or oppose the bill, then perhaps you could talk to your respective representatives in the House.

The bill proposes five grounds for the filing of a petition for divorce, which include psychological incapacity, causing one’s failure to comply with essential marital obligations and irreconcilable differences causing the irreparable breakdown of the marriage. Only couples who have been separated for five years and those already legally separated for two years are the only ones who may apply for divorce. Malta is set to legalize divorce, which makes the Philippines the only country in the world that bans divorce.