Divorce, same sex marriage among House’s pet bills

MANILA, Philippines - As Congress began yesterday its second regular session, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez unveiled what he called the chamber’s priority measures, including one on “dissolution of marriage” and allowing same sex union.

Also on top of the chamber’s order of business are the proposed shift to the federal form of government and the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

“Previously married persons can remain friends and better parents, despite their differences, since they no longer have to sling mud at each other in front of a judge just to convince the magistrate that their marriage should be declared void or voided,” Alvarez, who is estranged from his wife, said.

The Davao del Norte congressman has designated House Deputy Speaker Pia Cayetano – also estranged from her legal spouse – to shepherd the measure.

“I thank Rep. Pia for her commitment to file a bill that will allow for the dissolution of the marriage without the need for an extensively adversarial system. Married persons can mutually agree to end their marriage subject to approval of the Court,” he added.

“Admittedly, there is a sad reality about some marriages. We do not always get it right the first time around. We have to change this,” said Alvarez, who admitted having mistresses and had a falling out with Rep. Tonyboy Floirendo over their girlfriends’ spat.

Another controversial measure Alvarez included in their agenda is the civil union bill, which seeks to allow same-sex unions.

“Let us tackle this issue head on. I will file a bill that will legally recognize and protect civil partnerships. I thank Rep. Geraldine Roman for her inputs regarding this legislative measure,” the Speaker said, referring to the transgender Bataan lawmaker.

“Our citizens should not be excluded from society just because of the person they love. They must also be treated with equality before the law. I support Rep. Roman’s fight against discrimination in our society,” Alvarez maintained.

Another piece of legislation he wants passed seeks to remove discrimination against illegitimate children and provide them with benefits.

“Children, through no fault of theirs, have been stigmatized by society for being born outside of a valid marriage. It is time to end the unequal treatment of legitimate and illegitimate children,” he said.

The House leadership, he added, will also be preoccupied with the Bangsamoro Basic Law, Charter change and the proposed shift to a federal system of government.

“This will be the basis for creating a homeland for our Bangsamoro brothers and sisters,” Alvarez said, referring to the BBL. “We have to exert additional effort in paving the way for the shift from a unitary to a federal form of government.” 

He is also pushing for a measure requiring casinos to get franchise from Congress, which means taking over Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s regulatory powers over casinos.

“It does not make sense for it to regulate and operate. An entity that has this power runs the risk of dealing itself a favorable hand while undercutting others,” he said of Pagcor.

Alvarez also wants the Land Transportation Office merged with the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and be called Land Transportation Authority.

He would also be pushing for the creation of a regulatory body for a rehabilitated and expanded railway system.

“Our railways must be regulated by a new body, the Philippine Railways Authority, which sets the uniform standards and fares for all railways operating here in the Philippines,” the Speaker pointed out.

Airports should also be subject to more rationalized regulations. “We must create the Philippine Airports Authority since the different airports act autonomously, without sufficient oversight and agreed upon standards, given that many have their own charters,” he pointed out.

“Evidently, we have our plates full for the rest of the second session. I am certain we can accomplish the tasks ahead of us,” Alvarez said in his speech at the opening of the second regular session of the 17th Congress yesterday.

Alvarez also swore in two new members of the House of Representatives – Francisco Datol Jr. and Milagros Aquino Magsaysay of party-list Coalition of the Association of Senior Citizens in the Philippines – bringing to 293 the total number of congressmen in the chamber.