Lacson, Dela Rosa likely to support ‘once in a lifetime’ divorce

MANILA, Philippines— Senator Panfilo Lacson is proposing a “once in a lifetime divorce,” which immediately got the support of neophyte Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

“Divorce bill: I will propose as an amendment – “once in a lifetime” divorce,” Lacson wrote on Twitter  on Tuesday.

“You err once, make amends; you err twice, you deserve to suffer,” he added.

Lacson did not elaborate, but Dela Rosa  provided more details, saying he now has a “change of heart” after hearing his colleague’s proposal.

“Dahil nga nag usap kami ni Senator Lacson, papayag daw sya sa divorce basta isang beses lang daw. Wala nang second divorce, wala ng third, fourth divorce,” he said in an interview at the Senate.

“Sa akin parang ok yun, susuportahan ko yung plano ni Senator  Lacson na ganun nga , isang beses ka lang dahil kung magpa divorce ka pang pangalawa… ok lang yung magkamali ka isang beses , pag pangalawang beses kang magkakamali sinasadya mo na yan, hindi na yan pagkakamali, sinasadya mo n ayan so I’m inclined to support yung version ni Sen. Lacson,”  Dela Rosa said.

Before this, Dela Rosa strongly opposed the proposed divorce bill, which is now being revived in the Senate.

In opposing the measure, the neophyte senator said it would be the children who would suffer from separation of their parents.

Dela Rosa believes that a one-time divorce would be beneficial to all parties involved.

He could not say, however,  if the one-time divorce would replace the existing annulment law or if the latter  could still be made available for those who are no longer eligible of  divorce.   /muf