Legislators who oppose the Absolute Divorce Bill contend that rather than enacting the Divorce Bill, the country should expand the grounds for annulment. This idea persists even after the Absolute Divorce Bill passes Congress on its third reading.
Manila 1st District Representative Ernix Dionisio stated that the country has the option to expound the existing annulment laws in the Philippines to make them more favorable for everyone.
“May option po tayo… Pag mahirap mas madali sana ang diborsyo, kasi ako, eto lang stand ko doon sa pag-aaral. Sa maliit na kaalaman ko, sa tingin ko dapat natin i-expound o pag-aralan yung pagpapalawig ng annulment lang.” the lawmaker said.
“Ang problem sa annulment, una magastos, pangalawa mahaba ang proseso. We have to increase the grounds.” he added.
READ: HOUSE AFFIRMS DIVORCE BILL IN 3RD READING WITH 131 YESES
Annulment vs. Divorce
In the legal system of the Philippines, annulment and divorce are two distinct concepts that are sometimes confused.
Annulment functions under the assumption that the marriage was never legitimate in the first place, whereas divorce effectively ends a legally recognized union.
In the case of annulment, a court decision that annuls a marriage by stating that it was never legally valid and that the union is null and void. Even if the marriage is dissolved, the records of the marriage stay on file.
An annulment indicates that a marriage was never formally recognized, not that it never occurred.
In contrast, divorce a formal separation, termination, and closure of a marriage that is still enforceable. A divorce declares the parties’ formal marriage to be over and returns them to single status.
That is why, in the eyes of some religious institutions and the Catholic Church, divorce removes the sanctity of marriage.
“At least sa annulment hindi natin medyo binabangga yung sa simbahan, yung pinagsama ng panginoon ‘wag natin paghihiwalayin.” Rep. Dionisio said.
READ: SIMBAHANG KATOLIKO DISMAYADO SA PAGKAKALUSOT NG DIVORCE BILL
Senate’s Initial Vote
Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada released the initial results of his own survey on those in favor and not in favor of the divorce bill.
Based on the results, five senators agreed with the divorce bill, and five disagreed.
Among those who voted yes were:
• Sen. Robin Padilla
• Sen. Grace Poe
• Sen. Risa Hontiveros
• Sen. Imee Marcos
• Sen. Pia Cayetano
Those who voted no were:
• Sen. Jinggoy Estrada
• Sen. Francis Tolentino
• SP Francis Escudero
• Sen. Joel Villanueva
• Sen. Ronald dela Rosa