An open, orderly and peaceful discourse and view toward divorce.
Senator Robin Padilla stressed this as the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality tackled bills on the matter.
Padilla, who filed Senate Bill 237 or the Divorce Act of the Philippines, noted that current Philippine laws are not enough to address the complications experienced by families that are “broken.”
The legislator also cited his personal experience where he and his former wife – along with their children – are living happily after they agreed to have an amicable divorce.
“Sa kasamaang palad, ang ating mga umiiral na batas ay hindi tumutugon sa masalimuot at delikadong dinamika ng iba’t ibang uri ng pamilya, lalo na ng ilan kung saan ang kasal ay tuluyan nang nawasak at hindi na kailanman mabubuo pa. Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, ang diborsyo ay hindi banta sa kabanalan ng kasal; ang diborsyo po ay pagtanggap sa realidad na walang anumang uri ng lunas ang kayang humilom sa ilang pagsasamang tuluyan nang nawasak at nasira,” the lawmaker explained.
“Dapat nating limiin ang isyung ito na may simpatiya, paggalang at dahan dahang makinig sa lahat ng boses kabilang ang may salungat na pananaw.”
“Sa kabuuan, aking lubos na nauunawaan na ang paksang ito ay masalimuot at may direktang implikasyon sa lahat na indibidwal at pamilya. Sa gayon, hiling ko po na bawa’t isa ay bukas sa maayos at payapang diskurso. Dapat nating limiin ang isyung ito na may simpatiya, paggalang at dahan dahang makinig sa lahat ng boses kabilang ang may salungat na pananaw. Inshaallah, tayong lahat ay matuto na sa makabuluhang dayalogo na hahantong sa isang resolution na sumasalamin sa ating mga pagpapahalaga bilang isang bansa,” the senator added.
He likewise stressed that while it is never easy to end a marriage, divorce provides a legal protection to families where love, respect and support have been exhausted.
Padilla emphasized divorce does not aim to threaten a marriage but to protect those trapped in a doomed union.
“Kailanman di po kami maging instrumento na sirain ang isang kasal. Never.”
“Hindi ito pagyurak sa kasal. Kailanman di po kami maging instrumento na sirain ang isang kasal. Never… Pero bilang mga mambabatas katulad ninyo, pinanghahawakan din namin ang Konstitusyon at lahat gagawin namin para pagtibayin ang kasal. Pero kung dumating ang panahon na hinihingi na ng isa, dalawa o tatlong Pilipino na magkaroon siya ng kalayaan sa kasal, ‘yan karapatan na niya,” he stressed.
Padilla reiterated that no one is belittling the value of the family, even as the Constitution is clear in its guarantee of protecting the family as the basic social unit.
Yet, he said all families should be protected – including single parent households, families with adopted children, and blended families that are not considered traditional.
“Sa gayon, ang legal na proseso sa pagsasawalang bisa ng kasal ang natatanging paraan para mabigyan ng proteksyon ang kapakanan at interest ng miyembro ng isang pamilya,” he said.
Padilla added couples should be protected from abuse. He said divorce should be acceptable for one of four women who experience physical, sexual and emotional abuse based on a 2017 survey.
He added a 2017 survey showed 53% of Filipinos have a positive disposition on the need for divorce.
