Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday called for comprehensive and simultaneous discussions on legalizing divorce, annulment, and strengthening marriages to ensure a balanced approach that addresses marital challenges in the country.
In a media interview on June 21, 2024, Cayetano emphasized the importance of the family as the cornerstone of the nation.
“We have to talk about strengthening marriages, together with the talks about divorce and annulment. Dapat sabay-sabay na pagusapan ‘yan kasi nga ang pamilya pa rin ang pinaka-fundamental na unit ng ating bansa,” he said.
House Bill No. 9349, titled “An Act Reinstituting Absolute Divorce as an Alternative Mode for the Dissolution of Marriage,” recently passed its third reading and has now been transmitted to the Senate for further deliberation.
Recognizing the reality of “impossible marriages” where abuse or other irreconcilable issues make continuing the union untenable, Cayetano highlighted the necessity of discussing these topics collectively.
“There are impossible marriages, [tulad nu’ng] mga naaabuso y’ung isang spouse. But kung paguusapan natin na hiwa-hiwalay ang divorce, annulment, at strengthening the family, hindi tayo magkakaintindihan,” he said.
Advocating for a unified approach, Cayetano expressed hope of achieving a consensus on these issues and finding the best solutions.
“How do you deal with those who are being abused? Do you do it by annulment or do you do it by divorce? If we talk about it nang sabay-sabay, tingin ko magkakaroon tayo ng consensus,” he said.
“Lahat ng problemang iyan ay mayroong solusyon,” he added.
