Vice President Leni Robredo said she backs the legalization of divorce in the country for as long as it wouldn’t destroy the sanctity of marriage and would be accessible to the poor.
During the launching of Albay provincial library and information center, Robredo said the affordability of the divorce process must also be discussed, and that lawmakers should study thoroughly the possible effects of it among Filipino families.
“Yung hope naman natin dadaan pa to sa Senado, sana magkaroon ng masusing debate ukol dito,” she said.
With a vote of 134-57-2, the House approved the House Bill 7303, or the proposed “Act Instituting Absolute Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage in the Philippines,” which is primarily authored by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.
The bill aims to allow couples to obtain “absolute divorce” after a broken marriage.
Malacañang, however, said Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is against divorce, following the approval of the bill on its second hearing in the Congress.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the president opted not to comment, but eventually decided to clear his stand.
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.
