‘WALANG SINISIRA’ | Padilla says push for divorce seeks to protect, not destroy families

July 11, 2022 , 10:18 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(July 11, 2022) – Sen. Robin Padilla on Sunday clarified that the Divorce Act he filed as one of his priority measures is meant to protect families because some married couples may have irreconcilable differences, stressing that the proposal does not seek to destroy them.

Padilla issued the statement to address some of the criticisms that his measure encountered as he noted the tough challenges that partners may face.

“Hindi ito kailanman sumasalungat sa pag-aasawa,” said Padilla. “Hindi ito isang bagay na kami ay kontra na magkaroon forever. Katunayan, itong panukalang ito ay nagbibigay ng proteksyon, unang-una sa mag-asawa—babae, lalaki, at sa kanilang mga magiging anak.”

“WALA PO TAYONG SINISIRANG PAMILYA”

Idiniin ni Sen. Robin Padilla na ang panukalang batas na magkaroon ng divorce sa Pilipinas ay proteksyon at hindi paninira sa kasal o relasyon ng mag-asawa. pic.twitter.com/scfQw8UMJY

— News5 (@News5PH) July 11, 2022

Last Tuesday, Padilla filed his 10 priority legislations once the 19th Congress begins. Aside from divorce, the neophyte senator seeks the suspension of excise tax, amendment of the Rice Tariffication Law, and the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, among others.

Divorce has long been a widely contested issue in the country as the Catholic Church, which still wields wide influence, strongly rejects it. Only the Philippines and Vatican do not have divorce laws in place.

Padilla recognized the presence of annulment but the lengthy process makes it difficult for parties to push through, stressing this option is costly. Couples can also file for legal separation but they can’t remarry.

“Itong panukalang ito ay nagbibigay proteksyon sa kasal na, masakit man sabihin, ay sira na,” said Padilla.

Under his proposal, the former action star said couples can seek divorce if any of them cannot fulfill their obligations, a party gets convicted for violating the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, having children outside of marriage, and repeated abuses against the petitioner and the child.

In 2007, Padilla got divorced from his former wife, Liezl Sicangco, who is based in Australia. They were married for 20 years and have four children, including actress Kylie Padilla. Three years later, Padilla married celebrity host Mariel Rodriguez.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros also included divorce as one of her priority measures through the Dissolution of Marriage Bill. A women’s rights advocate, Hontiveros is one of the lawmakers strongly pushing for divorce despite the criticisms it has repeatedly faced from conservative camps.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, a human rights lawyer, also made the same call anew as he stressed the need to liberate wives from “irretrievably dysfunctional marriages or inordinately abusive marital relations.”

“The right of women to live free of physical, emotional, and psychological violence is a human right. The right of women not to live in fear is a human right,” said Lagman in the explanatory note of his bill.

Padilla also believes that some women are put in a bad light when they separate from their husbands as unfair rumors tend to spread. Children are also placed in a tight situation in this case.

“Wala tayong sinisirang pamilya. Pinoproteksyunan natin ang hindi magkasundo,” said Padilla.

(PM)

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