Divorce bill not a priority—Aquino
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN — For bachelor President Benigno Aquino III, one controversial bill is enough.
The proposal to pass a divorce law in the Philippines is untimely amid contentious talks about legislation on reproductive health and responsible parenthood, said Aquino.
“Is it an urgent thing? We haven’t even surpassed talks on responsible parenthood. First things first. Let’s ask, are they sincere or they just to provoke further tension with the Church?” Aquino told reporters over coffee at the Philippine Ambassador’s residence here.
Aquino laughed when first asked the question and said: “I’m not even married yet and you’re already asking me about divorce?”
Stirring debate in the House of Representatives, women’s partylist group Gabriela proposed a divorce bill as Congress continued to deliberate on the Reproductive Health bill, a measure strongly opposed by the Catholic Church citing breach of its teachings.
Asked to comment on the new proposal, Aquino returned to his campaign platform a year ago.
“My promises were job generation, education, health, judicial reform, and we are doing all of that already. The divorce bill, I think, is not a priority at this time,” Aquino said.
“I don’t want to expedite the process, like in Las Vegas where the impression is, you get married in the morning, you can get a divorce in the afternoon. Family is very important,” said Aquino.
