'Manobo' Alvarez files bill on dissolution of marriage

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos will be compelled to ensure the "happiness" of their spouses, or their marriage may face dissolution, according to the bill filed at the House of Representatives.

According to House Bill 6027, one ground for the dissolution of marriage, if this bill is approved, is “severe and chronic unhappiness” which causes the irreparable breakdown of the resolution.

The bill however did not define “severe and chronic unhappiness” which could open the floodgates to petitions.

Aside from unhappiness, another basis for a possible dissolution of marriage is “irreconcilable differences,” according to the bill authored by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and several lawmakers who belong to the minority caucus in the House of Representatives.

“A verified petition for dissolution of marriage on either of these bases may be filed by one or both parties to a marriage together with a joint plan for parenthood over their common children in cases of a joint petition,” the proposed law said.

According to HB 6027, the plan should detail the arrangement for support, parental authority, custody and living arrangements of the children.

“The court shall ensure its enforcement and shall review the plan on an annual basis or as often as possible should the need arise,” it said.

A self-serving measure? Alvarez disagrees

The bill providing for the dissolution of marriage was one of the priority measures that Alvarez would like the lower chamber to tackle in its second regular session although this was not among those that the Senate would like to focus on.

"Married persons can agree to separate subject to the ruling of the court," he said, adding that he would also file a measure recognizing civil unions.

“They must be treated equally before the law,” he added.

He also defended himself from criticisms that this bill was self-serving, claiming that he was allowed multiple marriages since he was a member of the Manobo tribe.

Alvarez, who is estranged from his wife, is currently in a relationship with another woman and has admitted to siring eight children by different women.

“Ang dissolution of marriage po, iyan ay fi-nile ko, hindi po para sa sarili ko, dahil hindi ko po iyan kailangan, dahil ako po ay miyembro ng isang tribe sa Mindanao kung saan po puwede po sa amin yung multiple marriages. At yung naggo-govern po na batas sa amin ay yung kultura po ng tribo,” the House leader said in a recent radio interview.

HB 6027 said that the court should grant the petition for the marriage’s dissolution if it found irreconcilable differences or severe or chronic unhappiness between the parties.

“The continuation of the marriage despite the existence of the grounds enumerated shall be conclusively presumed prejudicial to the welfare of the family and, most of all, the interest of the children,” the bill said.

Unlikely co-authors

In pushing for the bill, the House leader found himself unlikely allies in legislators who are part of the minority caucus in the chamber.

Aside from the Alvarez, the other authors of the proposed law are Reps. Teddy Baguilat, Rodel Batocabe, Arlene Brosas, Ariel Casilao, France Castro, Nancy Catamco, Pia Cayetano, Emmi De Jesus, Sarah Jane Elago, Gwendolyn Garcia, Ana Cristina Siquian Go, Edcel Lagman, Antonio Tinio and Carlos Zarate.

Any spouse found to have used threats or coercion to compel his partner into filing a joint petition would be punished with an imprisonment of not fewer than five years and a fine not more than P200,000.

The termination of the marriage would also result in the dissolution of the property regime and would end the obligation of the parties to support one another, according to the bill.

The bill also provided for the protection of people to whom a couple owes money.

“The court shall take measures to protect creditors and other persons with pecuniary interest,” it said.