The Philippines is the only country, along with the Vatican, where divorce is not legal, leaving many trapped in abusive or unhappy marriages. Michelle Bulang, a mother of four, left her abusive husband six years ago but cannot afford the costly annulment process to legally end the marriage. However, a new bill, the Absolute Divorce Bill, has passed the House of Representatives and may soon make divorce legal in the deeply Catholic country.
Supporters of the bill are optimistic about its chances, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr expressing openness to legalizing divorce while some senators remain opposed. Religious groups, including the Roman Catholic Church and the Iglesia ni Cristo, hold significant influence and have been vocal in their opposition to divorce.
Many Filipinos, like Bulang, face difficulties in ending unhappy marriages due to the high cost and complexity of the annulment process. Some resort to extreme measures like moving abroad to file for divorce. The need for divorce is urgent in cases of abuse, as legal separation does not offer protection from abusive partners.
Opponents of the bill argue that marriage is sacred and should not be easily dissolved. They prefer to expand access to annulment procedures rather than legalize divorce. Despite these obstacles, there is hope that the Divorce PILIPINAS Coalition and other supporters will succeed in legalizing divorce in the Philippines, offering relief to those trapped in unhappy marriages.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com