For the 2nd time, House OKs bill allowing absolute divorce
The House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 22, once again approves on third and final reading the measure that allows couples to terminate their marriage through absolute divorce.
Full story: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/house-approves-divorce-bill-may-2024/
Full story: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/house-approves-divorce-bill-may-2024/
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00:00 The House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 22, once again approves on third and final
00:06 reading the measure that allows couples to terminate their marriage through absolute
00:10 divorce.
00:11 Voting on House Bill 9349 is sharply divided with 131 affirmative votes, 109 against, and
00:18 20 abstain.
00:20 The Philippines remains the only country, along with the Vatican, that has yet to legalize
00:25 divorce.
00:26 Explaining his negative vote, later Rep. Richard Gomez says that laws must abide by the religious
00:31 customs of the majority.
00:33 Albay Rep. Edsel Lagman says, "While a majority of Filipinos are Roman Catholics, there is
00:38 no official religion recognized in the country's constitution."
00:42 In 2018, the House also approved an absolute divorce bill, the bill's Senate counterpart
00:47 languished at the committee level.
00:49 Lagman says he is optimistic their colleagues at the Senate will consider the divorce bill,
00:54 especially after the change in leadership.
00:56 (upbeat music)