Divorce can be difficult for Filipinos

MANILA: The Philippines Congress began this week a heated debate on the issue of legalising divorce, but many social scientists believe it hard to achieve in this majority Catholic country at present.

The Philippines and the Vatican are now the only places in the world to ban divorce, after Malta voted to remove its ban on divorce on May 31.

The Philippine House committee on revision of laws kicked off its deliberations on the controversial divorce bill, with pro- and anti-divorce lawmakers facing off on the issue of legalising divorce in the country.

One of the authors of the bill, women’s party list group Gabriela believes that the existing laws on marriage are not enough, and legalization of divorce will help many couples and families suffering from failed marriages.

But she is facing tough opponents. The vast majority of Filipinos are Catholic, and the church is extremely powerful.

One archbishop recently said that divorce was “anti-Filipino,” while another said he would strongly oppose “any attempt to introduce it” in the Philippines.

Some critics of the bill said if divorce were to be legalized in the country, people will become more irresponsible in making important decisions such as choosing a partner for marriage.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino 3rd on Thursday shut the door on the divorce bill, saying,” It is not a priority, and I don ‘t see it becoming a priority even in the near future.”

He said his administration was busy with many other priority measures and would not bother to include the debate on divorce.

Aquino even questioned the motives of divorce law supporters.

At present, divorce is not recognized under Philippine laws. Current laws allow for legal separation and annulment. Only couples who had their marriages annulled are free to remarry.

The divorce bill would allow couples who have been legally separated for two years to petition for divorce. It lists psychological incapacity, irreconcilable differences, and failure to comply with marital obligations as grounds for divorce.

A recent survey by Social Weather Stations showed a majority adult Filipinos agree to making divorce legal in the country.

The Social Weather Stations survey results showed 50 percent of their respondents agreed to allowing couples file for divorce while 33 percent disagreed to making divorce legal in the Philippines. Sixteen percent are undecided about the matter.

Results of the survey conducted from March 4 to 7, 2011 indicated “a big change from merely neutral opinion six years ago, when 43 percent agreed and 44 percent disagreed,” the SWS stated.

There was also a consistent rise in support for legal divorce, the SWS survey result showed. Both men and women regardless of civil status showed increased support for legal divorce in the Philippines as the percentage of those who agreed rose from 44 percent to 52 percent in men. Support from the women on the other hand, rose from 41 percent to 49 percent when compared to data from 2005.

Though the proposed divorce bill gained the increasing support from Filipinos, especially the troubled couples, it could be a long and uphill battle to legalize divorce in the Philippines. –XINHUA