MANILA, Philippines – Senator Grace Poe had a change of a heart on the proposed divorce bill, and said she is now more inclined to support it.
Poe admitted that she was originally for the strengthening of the existing law on annulment to make it more accessible, instead of legalizing divorce.
“Subalit sa ngayon, pag nakikita ko na rin na marami sa ating mga kababaihan ang medyo naagrabyado at saka hindi makapagsimula muli sa kanilang buhay , parang naiisip ko na rin na siguro maganda na ngang pag usapan yan, napapanahon na (When I learn of cases of many women who are disadvantaged and can’t start a new life, perhaps it is time to think of, and discuss the divorce law),”she said.
“Ang pinag-iingatan lang natin ay hindi ito (divorce) abusuhin at gawing nakapadali… (We just want to make sure that the divorce law will not be abused),” added Poe.
She underscored the need for a thorough study of the proposed legislation, particularly those pertaining to safeguards.
“Pero kung tatanungin mo ako ngayon ha, ano ba talaga…parang mas gusto ko nang mayroon (divorce) (If you ask me now, I am more partial to having divorce in the country),” she said.
“Kasi kapag sinabi mo ring annulment, ang dami pa e, may iba-iba pang mga question so tingnan natin . Pero kung bibilangin mo na rin ang inclination ng mga mambabatas, mas inclined po ako na suportahan yun sa ngayon,” Poe added.
Two senators – Pia Cayetano and Risa Hontiveros, have refiled separate measures, legalizing divorce in the Philippines.
READ Hontiveros renews struggle for divorce law
Unlike Poe, however, Sen. Cynthia Villar believes that it is not yet time to pass the measure.
“Kasi we’re a predominantly a Catholic country. Medyo ‘di ba ayaw ‘yan ng Simbahan, madaming gulo,” Villar told reporters Tuesday.
“But I think it will be filed every Congress and there will come a time that we will pass it. But I don’t think this is the time that we will be able to pass it. It’s a matter of adjusting the mind of the people,” she further said. /gsg
READ: Cynthia Villar: It’s not yet time to pass divorce bill