Lawmakers urged: Reject bill on marriage dissolution

CEBU, Philippines – Religious groups comprising the Commission on the Laity of the Cebu Archdiocese are asking Cebu congressmen not to support a new proposal to legalize the dissolution of marriage, which they describe as “immoral”.

In a manifesto it issued Saturday, the group said, “House Bill 6027 on dissolution of marriage is a rejection of the divine decree of the indissolubility of marriage. If passed, it will open the floodgates to breakdown of families, endanger the welfare of children and weaken Philippines society.”

Cebu Third District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, the House deputy speaker, is one of the co-authors of House Bill 6027 and the group is asking her to withdraw her sponsorship.

According to Garcia's office, "now is not the right time to debate about it because Congress has not even begun deliberations on the bill."

Fe Barino, the commission president, said the laity is alarmed by the proposed measure as it may lead to destroying families.

She said the bill is a threat not only to the Church and the State, but also to the family, the basic unit of society.

“Kon sayonsayonon pagbuwag ang kaminyuon tungod lang kay dili na malipayon, mag-unsa naman lang? Kita ginikanan, malipay ba gyud ta? Hunahunaa kun unsa kadali ra og guba,” she said.

According to the bill, a marriage may be dissolved over severe or chronic unhappiness or irreconcilable differences.

Citing the Bible, Barino pointed out that the bill contradicts the teachings of the Catholic Church, which says “what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

“It’s really against the law of God. Ang giingon sa Ginoo, kun unsa iyang gihiusa, dili gyud mahimong buwagon sa tawo,” she said.

She said Cebu congressmen must be the first to oppose the bill, considering that Cebu is considered to be the cradle of Christianity in Asia.

She urged the laity to appeal to their representatives in Congress not to ignore the “rightful” laws that govern the sanctity of marriage.

Barino said the manifesto is part of a nationwide movement for a unified appeal of the Catholic Church to oppose House Bill 6027.

Barino said parish communities and faith-based organizations will hold prayer vigils.

“Walay imposible sa Ginoo. Kun dili madala og hangyo, ang Ginoo lang motandog unta nila,” she said. —/JMO (FREEMAN)