Sen. Cynthia Villar presides over the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform hearing Wednesday, January 11, 2023 to tackle Senate Bill No. (SBN) 120 or the  Yellow Corn Industry Development Act of 2022. Senate PRIB/File

MANILA — Sen. Cynthia Villar on Wednesday said she was surprised that the House of Representatives approved a bill legalizing divorce in the Philippines, stressing she is against such measure.

"Syempre nagulat ako sa kanila," said Villar, wife of tycoon Manny Villar.

"Pero ako po, alam naman ng lahat I have a very happy family life, so I'm not in favor of divorce," she added.

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Senator Cynthia Villar is accompanied by her family as she files her certificate of candidacy for the 2019 senatorial race  on Monday, October 16, 2018.  Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

Villar joins Senate President Francis Escudero, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Joel Villanueva, and Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel who have all gone on the record to register their opposition to the House-approved divorce bill.

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Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, for his part, stressed he is pro-family, so he is against the  divorce law.

"Conservatibo akong mambabatas. Kung ika nga sa Amerika Republican ako, so pro-family... I frown on any bills that will separate our families," Zubiri told reporters. 

"Ayaw po nating maging katulad ng mga Las Vegas weddings na bigla na lang mag asawa tayo ngayon tapos kung ayaw natin hiwalay tayo sa susunod na buwan. Hindi dapat tama yun. I think we should study it to make sure na hindi po tayo magiging katulad ng ibang bansa na very dysfunctional ang family," he said.

(I am conservative. We do not want Las Vegas-style weddings. That isn't right.)

Zubiri believes the divorce bill will be a conscience vote in the Senate.

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Senators Sonny Angara and Bong Revilla separately told the media they were still studying the controversial measure.

There are so far 7 senators supportive and 6 senators against enacting a divorce law in the country, with 2 others still studying the measure.

Sen. Grace Poe told media that she would support the bill but will amend certain provisions.

Sen. JV Ejercito also said he was leaning in favor of the bill.

The Senate's version of the proposed divorce law was principally authored by Senators Risa Hontiveros, Raffy Tulfo, Robinhood Padilla, Pia Cayetano and Imee Marcos. It is pending on 2nd Reading before the Senate Plenary.

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