If other countries in the world are into it, why can’t we? Perhaps, this is exactly the basis that runs into the minds of some lawmakers in the Philippines as to why for the longest time now, suddenly, the divorce bill resurface once again today exactly the same way the RH bill does. Filipinos have really this colonial mentality of following what the others, especially in the more advanced countries does. This, in spite of the bill being unbecoming to the Filipino spirit in us.
So what if we are the only country in the world left that does not have a divorce law? What does it make us? Does it make the Philippines below par with other countries? And if we do have a divorce, does it make us at par with these countries either? Obviously not, so what now?
The Philippines’ anti-divorce stance only confirms the Filipinos’ innate spirit of seeing what is naturally right or wrong. At least, we share the same values and stance with the Vatican in the illegality of marriage dissolution. Come on, we have this honorable reputation in the world with our bloody revolution known as the EDSA Revolution, let us take another pride of being the only country who refuses a divorce bill only because we are unique in our Christian values such that we believe that the strength of our nation is the family. I strongly believe that if we destroy the family by a bill such as divorce, all our other unique Filipino values will come crumbling down. I could only understand clearly why the Catholic Church cries foul at the thought of it. The thought of the number of homes that will be dissolved by divorce and the number of children left with unbroken families is just so shivering. What more to the question of how many times can one be divorced?
The bill known as “An Act Introducing Divorce in the Philippines” the principal authors of which, Gabriela Women’s Party List Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emerencian de Jesus describe it as a divorce “Filipino-style”. Personally, labeling it such wouldn’t make the particular bill any different on its impact to Filipino people. By making the divorce bill easily available, makes it subsequently a floodgate for irreconcilable differences even disputes on minor matters. It is in its easy availability in a form of a law that actually destroys the sanctity of marriage. The urge and necessity to salvage the union may be lost altogether especially in a pride-driven situation between husbands and wives. The vows a couple promised to each other in marriage will now amount to nothing with this bill. It is easy to say those who regard divorce as an alternative, should not marry at all in the first place. Average number of Filipinos spends a fortune in a wedding ceremony where vows such as loving each other for better or for worse is part and parcel of the ceremony. Should divorce become a law, whom are the couples fooling to as they utter these words on their wedding day? I hope not themselves. By all means, let us give marriage a chance…at all costs.
On the contrary, this has been the basis of the authors of the bill saying that once the bill is in place, it will make marriage stronger because couples will be more careful in taking care of the relationship especially now that it is easier to dissolve it. Really now. I am sorry, but I think otherwise.
Data shows that the Filipinos are literally divided equally on the issue. When it comes to lawmakers however, it is seen that the divorce issue cannot stand a chance in a male dominated Congress on the basis of the congressmen’s wives taking it against their husbands if the former will lobby for it. Funny but quite true.
As to its constitutionality too, Under the Philippine Family Code of 1987, it is illegal to obtain a divorce in the Philippines, hence, surely, it would be a long battle to be able for the lobbyists of the bill to see the light of day. I hope going through a referendum in the Philippines to seek the opinion of the majority would be unnecessary as it is costly. Malta had done that, but, we need not have to follow the footsteps of others.
too much.
No comments:
Post a Comment