Legal gridlock for Filipinos hoping to divorceーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS
The Philippines is the only country in the world aside from the Vatican in which legally ending a marriage is not allowed. With a population that’s 80% Catholic, strict religious values are reflected in the law. This legal rigidity often traps individuals in unbearable situations. One investigation says 20% of women in the Philippines endure domestic violence. Against this backdrop, the hope for divorce is giving rise to a movement working toward its legalization. The push for change reached a milestone last May when the absolute divorce bill was narrowly passed by the House of Representatives and sent to the Senate. That ignited a fervent battle with deeply entrenched values continuing to clash. Hold on. Restaurant worker Heidi Deagera lives in Manila with her four children. 11 years ago, she split from her husband after years of violence and [Music] infidelity. When he got drunk, he’d hit the children as well. And I was just tired of his constant cheating. Heidi would get divorced if she were allowed to. Living apart isn’t good enough. If I work overseas, I could save up to buy a home. But as I’m still married, my husband might demand part of it. Heidi’s husband, Joseph, agreed to talk to us. He gave his side of the story, claiming he’d been frustrated over tensions with his wife and [Music] in-laws. She never trusted me. I admit that I was stupid. We tried to talk it out, but we didn’t love each other anymore. Joseph now has a child with his new partner. He says he’d like to marry her, but the law forbids divorce, even if both sides desperately want it. For over 300 years, from the mid6th century, the Philippines was a Spanish colony. Oldw world Catholic values took root, and in 1950, divorce was legally abolished. In the Bible, the book of Genesis, we know that God made man and woman and no one and nothing should hinder their oneness. Since 1999, there have been several bills aimed at legalizing divorce, but none has been enacted. When the latest attempt reached the Senate, one married couple took a public stand. Devout Catholics Teddy and Rubia Mores say divorce is unwelcome. They formed a group opposing the legalization and have been traveling the country to speak against it. You know, we all know that the family is the backbone of the society. If you have a broken family, the society will also be broken. When you get married, you embrace everything. All the bad attitudes, the good attitudes, and the whoever is your husband. Ruby speaks from experience. Teddy’s past infidelity almost derailed their marriage, but she turned to her faith for answers. He kneled in front of us and asked for my forgiveness and I said okay we can have we can give it another try. I thank God help me uh to change uh my life. Father, Son, the Holy Spirit. Amen. Teddy never cheated on her again. They now enjoy life surrounded by their children and grandchildren. Thank you Lord. [Music] In front of Manila’s Senate building, a group of protesters are urging lawmakers to legalize divorce. Demonstration leader Shishi Wo has been pushing the cause for 10 years. [Music] She and her four children were left alone when her husband took his own life eight years ago. Shi says he had been violent since the outset of their marriage. I have cigarette burns here. If I don’t want to have sex with him, it would hurt me. [Music] Fearing the social stigma, Shishi never reported him, instead enduring an unhappy marriage for 19 [Music] years. Shishi continues to advocate for the legalization of divorce so other women do not have to suffer as she did. If I read the Bible, you have to be submissive to your husband. But then I would question, how long do I need to be submissive if he abuses me physically, emotionally, verbally? Divorce is the only way that we can get out from a bad marriage. As the absolute divorce bill awaits its fate in the Senate, Filipinos face up to a decision that could redefine families and freedom. The bill has been stalled in the Senate for a full year since it passed the House. The legislative inertia likely stems from many lawmakers hesitation to push a yes or no vote on an issue that so sharply divides the Filipino public. An election was held on May 12th. If the bill isn’t enacted by the time the new Senate convenes, it will be sent back to the House to start again. Despite the gridlock, the fight for divorce is far from over. Lawmakers advocating for its legalization say they will reintroduce the bill even if it fails. And that’s all for
In the Philippines, where divorce is illegal due to strong religious values, a bill to legalize it has ignited public debatein the largely Catholic nation. #asia #asiapacific #politics #philippines #divorce
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