Chiz seeks cheaper annulment costs

MANILA, Philippines - If Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero will have his way, he wants annulment cases to be handled by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) in an effort to reduce the cost of getting an annulment in the country rather than pursue the approval of the controversial divorce bill.

Escudero believes it is not the right time to work for the passage of the divorce bill since Congress and the public are divided over the issue of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill. 

The senator has filed for annulment of his marriage to estranged wife Cristine, with whom he has twins. He said the annulment is nearing conclusion.

Escudero said the annulment process under the Family Code should be made accessible and affordable to the poor.

He also sees the need to tap the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in providing free consultations to those who may want to pursue annulment.

Escudero, a lawyer, noted some problems with the way the country’s law on annulment was crafted. He pointed to the wordings of Article 36 of the Family Code on the issue of including a spouse’s psychological incapacity as a cause for annulment of marriage.

He also mentioned the strict provision in the law that provides, as a strong case for annulment, when a partner is a victim of an abusive husband.

“What happens to this person when he is again allowed to re-marry, and will again be resorting to domestic violence?” Escudero asked.