The Remedy

The bill seeks to introduce divorce in Philippine law with a strong sense of confidence that it will be used responsibly by Filipino couples. This confidence stems from the experiences of Filipino families that show that separation is usually the last resort of many Filipino couples whose marriage has failed. Cases of battered women also support this. Battered women invariably seek separation only after many years of trying to make the marriage work; separation only becomes imperative for them when they realize that it is necessary for their and their children’s survival. Divorce could actually provide protection to battered women and their children from further violence and abuse. With the predominance of the Catholic faith in the Philippines, the fear that divorce will erode personal values on marriage appears unfounded. The experience of Italy, where the Vatican is located, and Spain, two predominantly Catholic countries which practice divorce, supports this. Those countries have a low rate of divorce. Italy registers a 7% rate while Spain registers 15%. The figures reflect the strong influence of religious beliefs and culture on individuals in deciding to terminate marital relations.

This bill is respectful of and sensitive to differing religious beliefs in the Philippines. It recognizes that the plurality of religious beliefs and cultural sensibilities in the Philippines demand that different remedies for failed marriages should be made available.

The Remedy is Divorce. The congress believes that the Filipino people will use this law responsibly and in accordance to the law. The figures shown above reflect the strong influence of religious beliefs to terminate marital relations. This makes people hesitant to accept the divorce bill fully because they think that it is a preposterous law that will make Filipino people lax. But what happens when the divorce bill is implemented? There will be freedom and it will pave the way to second chances. I believe that this law enables people to be independent and accepting to their own actions and responsibilities. If they believe divorce is wrong, then so be it. If they decide to result to divorce, that’s okay as well. It does not matter but what I’m saying is that Divorce may be a remedy to those women or men who are in an abusive marriage (of course, men won’t admit that they are being abused by their wives. That’s purely gender hierarchy mentality) I believe that divorce is a liaison to the sickness of society which is tolerance. Filipino people tend to tolerate anything and everything that affects them personally or truly makes them weak. I believe that everything has a reason and the reason to result to divorce should be fairly reasonable. As redundant as it may possibly sound, I believe that this is always the case. Couples should have a fair reason for resulting to Divorce because they will simply either regret it or not. Divorce should be a choice not an obligation and most definitely not a hasty decision. It must be thought about thoroughly and must be mutual. It has to be, or else it won’t be a remedy, but a sickness.