Senator Raffy Tulfo speaks with reporters before attending a legislative process briefing in the Senate. (Photo by Albert Calvelo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Raffy Tulfo on Saturday said he is ready to discuss his proposed divorce bill with the Catholic Church.
Tulfo said he is seeking the support of Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Bishop Pablo Virgilio David.
The Philippines is the only country in the world where divorce is prohibited, apart from Vatican City, which is the seat of the Catholic Church.
“We respect their tradition, canon law, rituals, and customs, that’s why I am calling for the Catholic Church’s support,” Tulfo said in a statement, partly in Filipino.
“I am ready to sit down for a dialogue with the Catholic Church,” he added, saying he would be willing to explain his proposal.
INQUIRER.net has asked CBCP spokesperson Jerome Secillano for comment.
As a host of a public affairs program, Tulfo said he already lost count of how many married couples have reached their program for help, which is why his stand on divorce and related issues are “well-informed.”
“Our stand on divorce, annulment, separation, and domestic violence is well-informed by years of first-hand experiences on complaints and situations of distressed families,” Tulfo said. “We have been receiving and handling these complaints and situations every day for the past many years.”
“We understand the details, complexities, and hardships spouses go through,” he added.
Tulfo said the law should acknowledge that some couples just have “irreconcilable differences.”
He also said that the law should not require psychological incapacity, and that the process should be more affordable and convenient.
“I am taking a new approach towards finally giving distressed Filipino married couples the recourse of absolute divorce,” Tulfo said.