House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday said he is willing to meet with President Rodrigo Duterte to explain provisions of divorce bill in hopes of changing his stance.
According to Alvarez, he recognizes the points Duterte raised for his stand to oppose divorce in the country. However, the Speaker believes that the provisions stated in the proposed bill were able to address the concerns.
“Pero kami naman ay handa ring magpaliwanag sa Pangulo na ‘yung mga concern sa mga bata ay matagal ang debate doon at matagal talagang pinag-usapan sa committee level ‘yun, at nai-address naman properly ng provisions ng batas na pinasa namin,” the Speaker said.
Alvarez said that the President’s opposition towards divorce may veto the bill.
“The apprehension [of veto] is always there. Kaya nga sabi ko kung kinakailangan na magpaliwanag kami, gagawin namin,” he said.
The Speaker said that he plans to talk to the President once the Senate starts discussing the bill.
“Hindi ko pa nakakausap pero ang sabi ni Secretary Roque, ‘yun ngang kalagayan ng mga bata,” he said.
“Siguro kapag halimbawa gumalaw na ang Senado. Kasi wala naman kaming pag-uusapan kung hindi pa rin aprubado sa Senado.”
Malacañang said on Monday that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is against divorce.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the president opted not to comment, but eventually decided to clear his stand.
“So, ‘yan po ang posisyon niya pero ang una sabi niya sa akin ‘no comment’ na lang tayo pero since nagtanong kayo at tapos na po ang botohan sa kamara ay ‘yan po ang kanyang paninindigan,” said Roque.
Roque explained that the president’s stand lies mostly on the negative effects that the legalization of divorce will bring to the children.
The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading the bill that seeks to introduce divorce and dissolution of marriage in the country.
Discussions on divorce bill in the Senate started on Tuesday, March 20.
