President Marcos has yet to take a definitive stance on the refiled Divorce Bill in the 20th Congress, Malacañang said Thursday, adding that the President remained open to the idea but was carefully reviewing the bill’s provisions before making any decision.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified during a press briefing when asked whether the President’s stance has changed since previously expressing openness to the idea of divorce, albeit with strong reservations against making the process too easy.
“As of now, the President has no clear stance regarding the divorce bill,” Castro said.
“It would be better to see what the provisions contain first,” she added.
She noted that early indications showed that the bill incorporates grounds from legal separation as possible bases for divorce, which warrants further review to ensure it aligns with the President’s call for responsibility and prudence in handling marriage dissolution.
While Marcos has acknowledged that some marriages become untenable and should be legally ended, Castro reiterated his longstanding view that reconciliation and strengthening of marriages should still be the priority.
“Let us remember that even the Catholic Church has annulment because there are times when husband and wife can no longer bear to live together,” Castro said.
“But the President wants us to further expand the efforts of each couple to fix their relationship, especially for their children,” she added.
Asked whether there’s a chance Marcos may support the bill under the 20th Congress, Castro responded; “It depends. If the provisions are good and the church also agrees, it may be given a favorable response by the President.”
The proposed divorce measure has once again cleared hurdles in the House of Representatives, where a version was passed during the previous Congress.
However, it failed to gain traction in the Senate, where opposition from various religious groups remained strong.
If enacted, the bill would make the Philippines, currently one of the last two countries in the world without legal divorce, alongside Vatican City, a place where civil marriage dissolution becomes a legal option beyond annulment or legal separation.
ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co with 4Ps Rep. JC Abalos, filed House Bill 210, or the proposed Absolute Divorce Act.
“In the context of divorce, a marriage is recognized as valid but is terminated. The termination occurs not due to any defect or omission at the time of the marriage ceremony, but rather as a result of circumstances that arise during the marriage itself—which is a reality that most individuals often fail to acknowledge,” the bill’s explanatory note stated.
“The bill aims to provide spouses in irreparably broken marriages a legal avenue for dissolution, thereby safeguarding children from marital strife and empowering vulnerable spouses, particularly in abusive relationships, to rebuild their lives,” Tinio said.