Senator Raffy Tulfo is set to introduce a Senate resolution aimed at revising Executive Order No. 209, otherwise known as the Family Code of the Philippines, in response to an incident involving a Filipina who was murdered by her Slovenian husband on December 29.
Vilma Pila, the mother of slain 27-year-old Marvil Facturan-Kocjančič, approached the senator on his show, Raffy Tulfo in Action.
Tulfo’s proposed resolution seeks to ensure that all foreign nationals undergo mandatory neuro-psychiatric evaluations and drug testing before being granted marriage permits to Filipino citizens.
The senator emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms to protect Filipinos from potential harm in international marriages.
“This is not an isolated incident. It has occurred numerous times before, both domestically and internationally. The trend of mail-order brides, characterized by swift courtships that lead to marriage and subsequent relocation abroad, has occurred repeatedly,” he explained.
“Unfortunately, this leaves little opportunity for women to adequately assess the character of their partners,” Tulfo added.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Usec. Eduardo de Vega expressed his support for Tulfo’s resolution and reported that authorities in Slovenia are conducting an investigation into the incident. The suspect is currently in the custody of a mental health facility while his case is being processed.
“Personally, I will not oppose that (resolution). We do not want our fellow countrymen to be dying,” Usec. de Vega said.
Tulfo, who also chairs the Senate committee on migrant workers, assured Pila that the remains of her daughter will be repatriated to the Philippines within a week.