By Marisol Bo-oc, Helen Castaño | 07:36 PM May 22, 2024
Edgar Chatto (1st district) and Vanessa Aumentado (2nd district) voted no against the House Bill No. 9349 or the Absolute Divorce Act on third and final reading on Wednesday, May 22.
Three lawmakers from Bohol- Reps. Edgar Chatto (1st district), Vanessa Aumentado (2nd district) and Alexie Besas-Tutor (3rd district) voted no against the House Bill No. 9349 or the Absolute Divorce Act
on third and final reading on Wednesday, May 22.
The divorce bill was approved by the House of Representatives with 126 lawmakers voting in the affirmative, 109 in the negative, and 20 abstentions.
“The first district of Bohol stands by the sanctity of marriage and the primordial role it plays as the cornerstone of families and communities in the country. To weaken this foundation is to give a foothold for the erosion and welcome the demise of the basic unit of our society,” Chatto said in a statement.
He said the issue and discussion on marriage and family is” not an easy one.”
” While we promote its fundamental prominence in itself and its significance in family and society, we are not indifferent to the silent misery of many couples who suffer from dysfunctional relationships and toxic family lives. And necessarily, the children and the rest of the family suffers as well, ” he said.
” We recognize the heart of the bill on giving option to victims of domestic violence and recognizing that not all marriages end in happily ever after. Children, we agree, must not suffer from the wrong decisions or the inevitable situation that parents sometimes find themselves in,” he said.
He said there are currently available remedies to the parties – both religious through the church and legal through the civil courts.
” The arguments that the current remedies available are inadequate and restrictive – both on substantive and procedural aspects – are well placed. But they are issues that can addressed, nevertheless, through the review of existing laws on the matter and improving them, thus, making it available, accessible and affordable, ” Chatto said.
He said in the many debates in Congress, divorce is not the answer.
” Questions such as success of subsequent marriage, mental health of spouses and children, effect on children, parental control and custody remain unanswered. Seemingly, this divorce issue will divide the nation as the surveys see,” he said.
In a survey conducted from September 30 to October 4 with 1,200 respondents, OCTA Research found that 40% favored passing a law that would legalize divorce, while just over half or 51% of Filipinos were against it. Around 9% were undecided.
The highest support for divorce was in Mindanao, at 48%, closely followed by Metro Manila, at 46%. Respondents in the Visayas had the lowest support (for divorce) at 33%. Conversely, the Visayas had the strongest opposition against divorce at 59%. The lowest opposition was in Metro Manila, at 39%.
Chatto said, “We emphasize that marriage is not a simple legal contract. It is contract imbued with social and moral interest and protected by the Constitution itself. It is an extraordinary contract between a man and a woman made before God, embraced by faith and embedded with a very special obligation of raising up the next generation till death do us part. “
” If saying “no” to the divorce bill would make the Philippines the only nation without one, so be it. In this world of decaying morals, that would be a feat of strength rather than a liability, ” he said.
Aumentado also didn’t vote for the bill.
” As a Catholic, I believe in the sanctity of marriage. That married couple should honor the promise they made to God, do their best to uphold that vow regardless how hard or difficult things can be. That’s my personal faith in marriage,” Aumentado said.
She said,” I, personally, believe that there’s a great impact on the emotional, psychological and even physical to divorced spouses but, more so on the children. “
” If divorce will be legalized, married couples will not try as hard as they should to save their marriage for the very reason that there is divorce and a possibility of finding another spouse. Again, it goes back to my first reason, which is honoring the sanctity of marriage, ” said Aumentado.
” We may have different views on this, but I am standing strongly on my NO vote against the Divorce Bill,” Tutor said.
She added,” I believe in the sanctity of marriage. Our belief being grounded strongly on our faith that what God has joined together let no man put asunder.”
