Legalization of Divorce in the Philippines
The iconic phrase of “’Til death do us part” is the words that signify the bond of marriage. Most people greatly value these words. However, what if the love who binds couples together fades away? What if the couple wanted to part ways even before death? What if living together with each other will only bring miserable suffering? One way to end this is through a divorce. Yet this topic is still an on-going debate in the Philippines. The supporters argue that divorce is a practical choice and also a solution in nullifying a marriage while those who opposes claim that divorce is unnecessary and destroys a family. But was it really that bad?
are actually valid reasons to permit divorce, the legalization of divorce in the Philippines should be pushed through even with at least for the reasons stated above. In connection to the permittable grounds of divorce, according to the Annual Comparative Statistics on Violence against Women (2012), wife battery ranked highest at 49% of all forms of violence and abuse against women. This statistics is enough to legalize divorce in the Philippines. As stated in an article entitled “Philippines needs divorce law.” by Val G. Abelgas,“It is not a coincidence that those pushing for the divorce bill in Congress are women. It is also not a coincidence that all over the world, a big percentage of those filing for divorce are women. It is not difficult to understand that in most failed marriages, it is the women who suffer more –victims of domestic abuse and violence, and neglected or abandoned by philandering or alcoholic husbands.” The Catholic Church believes that divorce breaks a family but it is actually the lack of love, which is replaced by violence and anger that breaks them. Divorce is not the reason for a broken family since the thought of doing divorce wouldn’t exist if the family is not already experiencing problems that are difficult to solve. Divorce only provides a solution to end a failing marriage.
Divorce will not erode the values and teachings of the Catholic Church. It is just thatnothing is certain in this world and sometimes couples need to break free from a toxic marriage.Sometimes, some people actually make wrong decisions in life but they can still have a chance tocorrect it. Thus, divorce should be legalized in the Philippines as the couples should have theright to decide to end their marriage. They should have the choice to make their life new and freeagain. Given the abovementioned arguments and points, the divorce is both helpful and practicalto every Filipinos. The government should implement divorce but the process should besimplified and of course, affordable. Divorce is a choice and everyone has the freedom to makechoices. So, if a marriage relationship is hopeless and no longer possible, divorce should be anoption.