In a historic first, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a bill providing for divorce and dissolution of marriage Monday, despite opposition from President Duterte.
A total of 134 congressmen voted for the bill, 57 voted against the bill while 2 abstained.
Gabriela Party-list group, an advocate and author of the measure, brushed aside Duterte's objection.
"The Divorce Bill was filed in response to the clamor of women trapped in abusive relationships and the need for the Philippine government to provide yet another option for irreparable marriages, in recognition of this reality. It is not at the President's bidding that we file legislation. Let the legislative mill take its course," it said.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte believes approving divorce in the Philippines would be bad for children of separated couples and spouses seeking legal actions against their respective partners.
“Ang Presidente po ay tutol sa divorce. Ang sabi niya, kawawa ang mga anak at kung magkakaroon ng divorce, mawawalan ng karapatang magsampa ng kaso ang mga asawa na pinabayaan ng asawa nila matapos ang divorce,” Roque said in a news conference in Camarines Sur Monday.
Rodrigo Duterte, House of Representatives, divorce, religion, catholic church, marriage