Are the Filipinos Ready for Divorce?

When citizens of Malta voted in a referendum last May to legalize divorce in their nation, Philippines became one of the last countries where divorce is forbidden. Malta’s legalization of divorce created a heating debate between the church authorities and the Gabriela Women’s Party who was responsible for the re-emergence of the divorce bill last June.

Divorce was existent in the Philippines during the U.S. and Japanese domination but was banned by passing the 1949 Civil Code. However, the church opposed the re-emergence of the divorce bill and vowed to campaign against its approval. As Philippines is a Catholic country, church leaders will not allow the approval of the divorce bill. They believe that it’s anti-family and anti-Filipino. It can destroy the sanctity of marriage.

Currently, there is no divorce under the Philippines law. Marriage annulment is the only option of separated couples who choose to not reconcile forever and get married with another man or woman. Annulment is a very difficult legal issue in the Philippines especially for the poor. The procedure is costly, time consuming and must require a qualified lawyer who understands the complexities of a couples’ marriage.

Now, Philippines stands alone for banning divorce. 

What is the reality?

Filipinos, for what I believe are more than ready for this kind of thinking about marriage. It’s not always a happy ending. In other countries, divorce has been recognized as a legal option for couples who wanted to re-marry. Then, why not in the Philippines? It doesn’t mean that the divorce bill must be approved because we are now the only country.

Philippines has a program called legal separation which requires less cost than annulment. The problem about legal separation is that they cannot re-marry (if they decided to) after the procedure. However, annulment in the Philippines benefits only those who are rich. Examples are the celebrities, politicians, etc. who can pay for it. One must be proved that he or she is psychologically incapacitated to keep their marriage. That reason may dissolve the present marriage.

Let’s just face the reality that what is certain about life is uncertainty. After marriage, options must not be one-sided. We have seen it through movies, news and other sources which can portray marriage experiences that it does not always work out. 

Divorce can be a good option for those who are1.) imprisoned in an unhappy marriage (and thinks about moving on every single day) 2.) battered wives 3.) verbally and emotionally abused 4.) not living together for years and wanted to re-marry, and 5.)left alone without any positive reason.

The divorce bill can help those who truly need it. It may not be a solution but a good option for those who are seeking happiness in their lives. And I believe that when a man had a divorce, it’s their choice as well as its accompanying consequences. Divorce is just another option when other options for holding on to marriage are already exhausted. Whatever negative situation that may arrive after it must not be blamed at the existence of divorce bill. It’s a different story man created. 

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