Sen. Chiz says NO to divorce

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he is against House Bill 1799 or "An Act Introducing Divorce in the Philippines," filed by Gabriela Party-list Representatives Luzviminda Ilagan and Emerenciana de Jesus.

“I am against the bill because, based on what I read in its provisions, it only hastens the divorce for couples,” Escudero said in an interview Sunday.

“The better solution would be to make annulment accessible and affordable to the poor. With high costs for the annulment process, only the rich can afford to get such, while the poor couples just separate and have a live-in relationship, said Escudero, who was in this city as guest speaker of the celebration of the 113th Independence Day here.

“Those who are pushing for the Divorce Bill should also make it clear who the guilty spouse is and should not be allowed to re-marry,” he said.

Escudero noted that, in the proposed bill, a spouse whose partner is a drug addict, drunkard, and wife-beater can file for divorce. “But then, not only husbands are guilty of these and, in some cases, the wife also is,” he said.

The Catholic Church has reacted adversely to this bill, citing it as opening the floodgates to the breakdown of the values of marriage, but the proponents argued that this is another option for separated and unhappy couples to get out of marriage, have a new life and remarry. (FREEMAN)