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Philippines debates permitting divorce

Politics 26 Sep, 2019 Follow News

Philippines debates permitting divorce

The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country where divorce is illegal, but the issue is gaining traction in the light of widespread unhappy marriages.

Opinion remains divided on whether divorce should be legalised in the Philippines.

For Aldwin Salum­bides of the Coalition of Concerned Families of the Philippines, the dissolution of marriage remains disturbing as the culture of family is inherent in Filipino culture.

"We have to emphasise that marriage isn't cheap. Family is precious. Being together, that's valuable and that is inherent in our culture as a family, as Filipinos, that we are closely knit, that we also have to be resilient, notwithstanding the many storms and calamities, whether literal or metaphorical,” he said.

He also said marriage requires commitment and occasional sacrifice, that's why divorce should not be legalised in the country.

But for Kana Takahashi of the Maya: The Feminist Collective, divorce allows people to start their lives over, and is an issue for women who are victims of domestic violence, and for children that grow inside a toxic environment.

Mr Salumbides argued that the legalisation of divorce could pave way for the passing of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Equality (SOGIE) Bill, as homosexuality can be grounds for divorce.

But Ms Takahashi said, sexual orientation doesn't affect the dissolution of a marriage.


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