Lacson: ‘Once in a lifetime’ divorce less whimsical, won’t ‘cheapen’ marriage

MANILA, Philippines — The proposal of Senator Panfilo Lacson for a “once in a lifetime” divorce would make the whole process less “whimsical” as it won’t “cheapen” the meaning of marriage in the country.

Lacson in an interview with reporters at the Senate rejected a Las Vegas-type of wedding and divorce to address domestic relationship issues.

“Para hindi masyadong whimsical. Huwag naman ‘yung parang Las Vegas-style na drive through ‘yung kasal, drive through din ‘yung divorce,” Lacson noted. “Parang ganoon kadali. We don’t want to cheapen also the importance ng marriage.”

According to him, his proposal would make a petitioner “think a million times” before filing for a divorce.

Under his proposal, a person who wants to divorce a spouse would not be able to re-marry. His proposition would also seek to increase the amount of alimony and child support.

“Kung once in a lifetime tapos the one who filed for divorce cannot marry and the one who did not still can, let’s see. ‘Yung former will think a million times before he or she files for divorce,” Lacson said.

But the senator clarified that his proposed measure is not his official stand on divorce, saying that he was just trying to start a discussion and induce some ideas.

Divorce bill: I will propose as an amendment – “once in a lifetime” divorce. You err once, make amends; you err twice, you deserve to suffer.

— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) August 5, 2019

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

“I tweeted para to evoke some discussion and I received a lot of reactions for and against, both,” he said.

He said he will not also file his own version of the bill as his proposed amendments could be included during deliberations on the said measure. /kga