Hontiveros welcomes divorce bill’s progress at House: ‘Sana all!’

Hontiveros welcomes divorce bill's progress at House: 'Sana all!'

Sen. Risa Hontiveros | PHOTO: Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros gladly received news on the divorce bill’s progress at the House of Representatives.

“Sana (I hope) all!” she said, reacting to House lawmakers’ approval of House Bill (HB) No. 9348, or the proposed Absolute Divorce Act, on the second reading on Wednesday.

Hontiveros then vowed “to continue to work in the Senate to pass [the] necessary though contentious legislation, despite the challenges we face.”

READ: Hontiveros hopes divorce bill can be given ‘fair hearing’ in Senate

“Panahon na [para] bigyan ng second chance sa pag-ibig at buhay ang mga Pilipinong babae, lalaki, bata, at pamilyang nangangailangan nito,” the chair of the Senate committee on women told reporters in a message on Thursday.

(It’s time to give Filipino women, men, children, and families who need it a second chance at love and life.)

Hontiveros said she’s just waiting for her bill sponsorship to be put on the agenda at the Senate plenary.

“I do hope my colleagues can support this important measure,” she added.

READ: Filipinos demand right to divorce: ‘We want to break free’

Under HB No. 9349, the following are considered grounds for absolute divorce:

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