Understanding the divorce bill

CHEERS TO media reports that explained the divorce bill and compared it to current legal remedies in the Philippines. While some news organizations were stuck with quoting the stated opinions of lawmakers, those who provided explainers helped the public understand how the divorce bill provides the necessary remedy to certain marital situations.

The Philippines is only one of two states without a divorce law, the other being the Vatican. With a predominantly Roman Catholic population, divorce remains a contentious issue. 

Last week, the media reported the passage of House Bill 9349, or the Absolute Divorce bill on May 22. Now in the Senate’s hands, media did not veer away from the usual coverage and identified the lawmakers who voiced their support for it and those who expressed opposition. (See link: From the Newsrooms: House passed divorce bill, Senate divided)

Some news media organizations – Cebu Daily News (CDN) on May 30, Inquirer.net on May 30, and GMA Integrated News Online on May 31 – did more, explaining how the bill could help couples who could no longer live their lives together. In reviewing the limited legal remedies available for those seeking to end their marriages, these reports gave information that helps the public form a judgment for themselves. 

The three explainers defined what the bill proposes, noting its difference from other legal remedies. CDN’s Morexette Marie Erram cited lawyer Amando Virgil Ligutan explaining the difference between annulment and divorce. The report presented a chart that helped readers to compare annulment, divorce, legal separation, and nullity. Ligutan pointed to the narrow scope of grounds for getting an annulment and that it can take years to attain. In contrast, the bill includes other conditions as a basis for divorce, citing marital infidelity, perversion, or having a child with another person during the marriage.

Inquirer.net and GMA further discussed how the bill provides relief for women who find themselves victims of violence, suffering from physical or emotional abuse. Their reports included interviews with women leaders who pointed to divorce as empowering women to free themselves from these conditions. 

GMA’s Llanesca Panti pointed to a more restrictive treatment of women in the Family Code which recognizes the wife’s concealment of her being pregnant by another man at the time of marriage as a ground for annulment; but is silent about a man’s failure to reveal he had impregnated another woman at the time of the marriage. 

Inquirer.net’s report by Cristina Baclig presented an infographic that summarizes key provisions of the bill. She also provided more data by referring to the Philippine Statistics Authority which found one in six Filipino women have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence from their husbands. 

Baclig’s sub-head made clear ‘what the divorce bill is not about:’ It “does not eliminate marriage;” but rather, “seeks to protect marriage while providing remedy for failed marriages.” 

Overall, the media should watch closely and continue to report on the bill itself; and avoid being overtaken by the opinions of lawmakers. A broad range of informed resource persons can evaluate the pros and cons and the safeguards in the bill so that divorce does not become the first resort of couples who are having problems. 

Meanwhile, the church and its flock should do their own work to uphold the sanctity of marriage, providing more guidance and counseling for those considering marriage as well as for those in troubled unions.